crime

Prosecutors seek 3 years in prison for bawling ex-lawmaker Nonomura over fraud

19 Comments

Prosecutors on Monday sought a three-year prison sentence for ex-lawmaker Ryutaro Nonomura, 49, on charges of misusing taxpayers' money. Nonomura, a former Hyogo prefectural assemblyman, became globally famous when he was filmed at a news conference in 2014, bawling over the accusation. He was subsequently indicted for fraud.

In his trial, which began in January at the Kobe District Court, Nonomura pleaded not guilty to fraud, Fuji TV reported.

Nonomura was accused of misusing 9.13 million yen that he said was spent on 340 day visits to resorts and other venues for work-related events, but for which he could not produce receipts.

Footage of the July 2014 press conference went viral. It showed Nonomura crying uncontrollably and banging his fists on a desk as tears streamed down his face. His incoherent explanations and complaints about how unfair the world was were punctuated by gasping sobs and the sharp intakes of breath required to power his next outburst.

Looped footage of the three-hour press conference played on Japanese television for days, which provided rich fodder for social media users and comedians alike.

Nonomura eventually returned all the funds, but prosecutors indicted him anyway, but did not place him under arrest. During his appearances in court, Nonomura shaved his head, traditionally a sign of contrition in Japan.

The court will hand down its verdict on July 6.

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19 Comments
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Another scapegoat fed to the plebs. Why is it that they always make examples of the easy targets, people without connections, without any real power. This guy, as bad as he is, returned the money. What about all the "connected" oyaji? When are they going to put them on the stand? What about Amari?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

FubenAPR. 26, 2016 - 07:24AM JST Another scapegoat fed to the plebs.

How is he exactly a "scapegoat"? And how was he "fed to the plebs"? The guy misappropriated public funds, stole money from the people, and now he is facing charges. What's your problem with this? Yeah, he returned the money but only because he was caught!

He is clearly deranged, the sad part is that someone voted him in. You should be blaming those people for putting someone of his caliber into public office.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

sensei258Apr. 26, 2016 - 08:26AM JST Why wait, it will be a suspended sentence anyway

Doubt that. He is being fed to the wolves so they can keep up the charade the next time.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

sumo,

How is he exactly a "scapegoat"? And how was he "fed to the plebs"?

Glad you asked.

This clown is a scapegoat in the sense that he is a minor player, guilty of misappropriation of funds, yes, but what he has done is a minor problem in the grand scheme of things. He was good TV, and so the plebs are happy to see this guy fall on the sword, thinking justice has been done. This is theater for the masses, something Japan excels at. While Nonomura cries and screams like a baby on TV, the real criminals, scamsters and corrupt bigshots walk free.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

9 million yen is peanuts in Japanese political circles. 400 million was small change for Muneo Suzuki and Ichiro Ozawa, while Shin Kanemaru had 6 billion in cash at home.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

During his appearances in court, Nonomura shaved his head, traditionally a sign of contrition in Japan.

Wow! This pathetic little weasel will try anything to worm his way out of being penalized for his misdeeds. As if his fake balling performance wasn't enough. I would love to see the prosecutors send this weasel to jail for a couple of years, but if an abusive child care worker can get a suspended sentence on the grounds of work related stress, this loon will probably get an all expenses paid vacation in Fiji as recognition of his contrition.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Watched this on the news yesterday seems hes got a bit to cry about now.He failed to show up to court numerous occasions keept putting it off he should have just got it over and done with.Nomura was wearing a wig the first time he appearred in court he was bald in the first place.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Three years in jail will give him something to cry about, assuming he doesn't get a suspended sentence like most other crooked politicians.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

After reading some seriously horrid news also in the crime section, i found this and watched the video again, arghhh never fails to make me cry with laughter.

If 3 years means 3 years inside i think its enough, his sentence is for life now anyhow.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Prolefeed.

As others have pointed out, more connected politicos get off scot free.

Do the courts dare to set a legal precedent with Nonomura?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

What he needs is mental help, not prison.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So... kill someone due to repeatedly kicking them while they are down on the floor apologizing and it's a suspended sentence. Misuse taxpayer money while a politician and it's requested that you serve 3 years in jail even though you've already re-paid the funds. There seems to be a decided lack of logic applied to sentencing.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The court will hand down its verdict on July 6

Why wait, it will be a suspended sentence anyway

0 ( +0 / -0 )

He's having a some follicle issues.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

3 years is definitely not enough for this nutjob. He needs 20 years in a mental hospital

0 ( +0 / -0 )

FubenAPR. 26, 2016 - 11:09AM JST

He was good TV, and so the plebs are happy to see this guy fall on the sword, thinking justice has been done.

While I understand what you mean the terminology is still wrong. He didn't "fall on his sword". He had zero intention to fess up, or to take blame and commit suicide.

The only reason he was on TV is because he has serious mental issues and called a news conference for reasons only known to him. You can't blame the media for broadcasting his news conference, it was clearly a newsworthy piece and admittedly one of the funniest non-scripted performance on J. or any other TV for that matter.

You mean to say they made an example of him? Well, not yet. If he gets 3 years in jail then perhaps yes he was made an example. But even then I wouldn't feel sorry for what happened to him. He deserves everything he will get.

But this being Japan and him being in public office I seriously doubt he will get any jail time other than suspended.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yup! They want to give this guy three years in prison even after he returned the money. Yes, fact that he committed a crime is still there but then cold blooded murderers get a slap on the hand, don't do it again and let go free.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It is true he committed grevious errors and should be punished but to revel in his pain is really a sad example of journalism gone very wrong.

He deserves all the attention he is getting, and he deserves to go to jail.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

this article is sick example of sensationalizing someone's distress and pain,. We seem to live in an increasingly heartless and unkind age. Whoever wrote this article and is trying to extend this poor mans pain is really not very nice. It is true he committed grevious errors and should be punished but to revel in his pain is really a sad example of journalism gone very wrong.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

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