Baseball commentator found dead in apparent suicide amid fraud allegations

A South Korean baseball commentator was found dead Thursday, police said, in an apparent suicide that occurred a few months after he was indicted over allegations of fraud.

Police said an employee found the body of Ha Il-sung, 67, hanging in his office in Songpa Ward, eastern Seoul, at around 8 a.m.

A suicide note has not been found yet.

In July, the Busan District Prosecutors' Office indicted Ha on charges of receiving 50 million won ($45,800) from an acquaintance in April 2014 without the intention or ability to pay it back.

He allegedly promised to lobby a baseball coach to help the acquaintance's son join the club, but the promise was not kept, according to prosecutors.

Ha has been denying the allegations, saying he just borrowed the money and no lobbying was involved in the process.

The 67-year-old served as the secretary general for the Korea Baseball Organization from 2006 to 2009.

Police said they are investigating the details of his death, including the latest indictment as a possible cause. (Yonhap)