The chief engineer of a hospital in Chiba Prefecture operated by a local independent administrative agency was held on the 21st for the first trial in a case where he was accused of taking bribes over the delivery of the artificial heart-lung machine = ECMO used for the treatment of the new corona. admitted to the charges.
The prosecution demanded a sentence of 1 year and 6 months in prison for being 'premeditated and vicious'.
Defendant Hideki Yoshino (63), the head of the clinical engineering department at the Higashi Chiba Medical Center in Togane City and the chief engineer, asked in March to facilitate the delivery of ECMO through a medical equipment sales company in Toshima Ward, Tokyo. In return, he was charged with bribery, saying that he received 1 million yen in cash from the then president of the company.
At the first trial held at the Chiba District Court on the 21st, the chief engineer said, "There is no doubt," and admitted the content of the indictment.
The prosecution requested a sentence of 1 year and 6 months in prison, saying, ``It was malicious that he planned to intervene with an acquaintance to get a reward, and then tried to conceal the 1 million yen he received.''
On the other hand, the defense side sought a sentence with a suspended sentence, saying that he had admitted to the crime and was reflecting on it.
The verdict is expected to be handed down on March 13th.