HYOGO (TR) – Hyogo Prefectural Police have accused an upper-level boss of the Yamaguchi-gumi for concealing his organized crime affiliation in purchasing a vehicle, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Jan. 27).
On August 20 of last year, Hironobu Ohara, 69, allegedly did not reveal his status as a gang member during the purchase of a passenger vehicle from a dealership in Osaka.
Ohara also serves as the boss of the Ohara-gumi, which is based in Osaka’s Ikuno Ward. He uses the vehicle to commute to the Yamaguchi-gumi’s headquarters in Kobe’s Nada Ward.
Ohara, who has been charged with fraud, told police that his ex-wife requested the purchase. He denies one part of the allegations, telling police that he did not know that his gang affiliation had been concealed.
In the purchase agreement issued by the dealership, there is a clause requiring the customer to divulge any gang connections.
Following the defections from the Yamaguchi-gumi last year, Ohara is now the number-four boss in the gang.
Update: Ohara and his ex-wife were not prosecuted in the case, according to the Sankei Shimbun (Mar. 25).
