Korean-American in U.S. campaign scandal

A Korean-American businessman is being investigated on suspicion of illegally donating election campaign funds to U.S. politicians, the New York Times reported in its August 28 edition.

Covering the allegation against David Chang, 56, in a two-page package from the front page, the newspaper reported that Chang was watched by authorities because he donated more than his reported income. Chang admitted he illegally offered US$53,000 (about 58.3 million won) to Sen. Robert G. Torricelli of the Democratic Party in June, the Times reported.

It also said that the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation were expanding their probe to determine whether Chang had referred to the trial and politicians who received political funds from him committed other illegal acts.

The Times also reported that Chang had offered a total of US$325,000 (about 357.5 million won) to the politicians on about 100 occasions, and promised to donate US$1 million (about 1.1 billion won) for the library that President Bill Clinton plans to build in his hometown Littlerock, Arkansas, after retirement.

Thanks to his donation of the political funds, Chang attended White House events often, including being invited to a banquet offered in honor of President Kim Dae-Jung during his U.S. visit in June 1998.