KYOTO (TR) – As a part of a crackdown on an illegal investment plan, Kyoto Prefectural Police on Thursday announced the arrest of an organized crime boss on charges of extortion, reports the Kyoto Shimbun (July 9).
In early February of last year Soichi Taki, a 69-year-old boss in the Aizukotetsu-kai, and fellow gang member Hideaki Nakao, 55, are alleged to have collected four million yen from the manager of a restaurant in Kameoka City for an investment in a seminar on gambling on horse racing.
In intimidating the victim, the suspects mentioned appeasing a former top boss of the gang while demanding a total amount of 24 million yen.
According to officers from the Ukyo Police Station, Taki has reportedly denied allegations. “I didn’t extort any money,” the suspect is quoted by police.
In a verdict handed down by a court, the 59-year-old chairman of the Aizukotetsu-kai had previously been found guilty of violating investment laws with the same scheme. The chairman is currently appealing the ruling.
According to a report released in March by the National Police Agency, the Aizukotetsu-kai, which is based in Kyoto’s Ukyo Ward, has approximately 120 members.