Former T-ara member Lee Ahreum and her boyfriend are facing legal trouble. They have been indicted for allegedly defrauding fans and acquaintances of over 30 million KRW (approximately 20,930 USD). This comes shortly after Ahreum received a probationary sentence for child abuse and defamation.
Details of the Fraud Charges
The Ansan Branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office announced on January 21 that Ahreum’s boyfriend, identified as ‘A,’ has been arrested and indicted on fraud charges. Lee Ahreum herself was indicted without detention. The pair is accused of borrowing around 37 million KRW (approximately 25,813 USD) from three people, including fans and acquaintances. These individuals filed complaints with the police between March and May 2024, stating that Lee borrowed money citing personal reasons related to her boyfriend but never repaid it. Prosecutors believe ‘A’ played the main role in these alleged crimes, leading to his detention.
Previous Legal Issues: Child Abuse and Defamation
This isn’t Ahreum’s first brush with the law recently. On January 17, she received a sentence of 8 months in prison, which was deferred by a 2-year probationary period. This means that if she avoids committing similar crimes during this period, she will not have to serve the prison sentence. She was also ordered to complete 40 hours of child abuse prevention education. These charges stemmed from accusations that she verbally abused her ex-husband in front of their children, causing them emotional distress. Additionally, she was accused of publicly defaming someone who shared a court ruling related to her boyfriend during a live internet broadcast. The court stated that Ahreum admitted to the child abuse charges and acknowledged that her actions caused mental harm to the children’s legal custodian. Although Ahreum claimed she didn’t intend to defame anyone, the court found that her statements during the broadcast were made without verifying the facts and concluded there was defamatory intent.
Ahreum’s Mother Also Convicted
Adding to the family’s legal troubles, Lee Ahreum’s mother was also convicted of child abuse on the same day. She received a 4-month prison sentence, suspended for 1 year. She was accused of neglecting her grandchildren during incidents in 2021 and 2022 when her daughter verbally abused her ex-husband.
Ahreum’s Background and Personal Life
Ahreum joined T-ara in 2012 but left the group after just one year. She married an older businessman in 2019 and they had two sons. Following her divorce in December 2023, Ahreum announced her plans to remarry her current boyfriend, ‘A.’ During her previous marriage, Ahreum accused her ex-husband of child abuse and shared alleged domestic violence photos. However, after an investigation, her ex-husband was cleared of all charges. Ahreum remarried and had her third child last year, and she is currently pregnant with her fourth child.
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Source: Wikitree