Article: [Comprehensive] Newsdesk, "raids conducted on six agencies suspected of manipulating the rankings on 'PD X' "
Source: Sports Chosun
Police have raided six agencies suspected of manipulating ranking on 'Produce X 101.'
MBC's "News Desk," which aired on Wednesday, reported that police raided six agencies related to the ranking rigging scandal.
PD Ahn Joon-young admitted that he manipulated the rankings of the third and fourth seasons of 'Produce X 101' and police believe he conducted the manipulations after receiving the results of the real-time text vote. News Desk released an interview with an official of a text-voting company who said, "The production team usually sends those responsible for the real-time text voting and we'll let them know the results of the vote," he said, drawing attention.
Police targeted entertainment agencies that were involved in the ranking manipulation and so far, six agencies have been raided by police with at least three of them related to 'PD X'.
Police have booked six key officials from these agencies as suspects and have completed the relevant questioning. The officials are being charged with violating the Prohibition of Unauthorized Solicitation and violating the Kim Young Ran Act for providing entertainment bribes to Ahn PD and other officials. Police are also reviewing charges of breach of trust because the entertainment agency officials played a key role in virtually soliciting rankings among idol trainees and producers.
Police are currently trying to figure out when and how the crimes were committed and will forward the case to prosecution tomorrow.
In the meantime, police are also investigating allegations of manipulation on another Mnet audition program 'Idol School.'
