Reika Kuroki, a 38-year-old social media influencer with some 440,000 Instagram followers, was sentenced Wednesday to two years and six months in prison, suspended for four years, over tax evasion.
The Tokyo District Court also imposed a fine of ?40 million ($246,000) on Solarie, an advertising agency for which Kuroki serves as president.
Kuroki, who goes by the name of Reika Miyazaki on social media, promoted cosmetics and other products on the platform per the request of advertising agencies and received fees via Solarie, informed sources said.
She and Solarie had been charged with evading corporate and other taxes totaling ?157 million in the year through January 2021 and the two years through January 2024.
Presiding Judge Ko Sasaki said their acts ¡°were based on strong criminal intent and were planned ahead to some extent.¡±
¡°Their motives were self-centered, and they bear a grave responsibility,¡± Sasaki said, adding that a suspended sentence was warranted as they have already completed filing an amended tax return.
Two men were also each given a suspended sentence for aiding her through issuing fictitious receipts and other acts.
During the trial, Kuroki explained that the sales increased more than expected. She said she was deeply reflecting on her actions of committing a serious crime.
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