Bandai Namco Holdings announced on May 14th that a former employee of its subsidiary, Bandai Namco Entertainment, was arrested the same day by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of embezzlement.

According to the company, the arrested former employee, from around April 2015 to April 2022, allegedly sold over 4,400 company-managed mobile devices to external traders without authorization and illicitly pocketed approximately 600 million yen.

Following the incident, Bandai Namco Holdings stated, "In response to this misconduct, the company dismissed the former employee on December 20, 2022. Additionally, on January 18, 2023, the company filed a civil lawsuit in the Tokyo District Court seeking approximately 600 million yen in damages, and a judgment affirming the company's claim was finalized on November 17, 2023".　

Additionally, the statement included an apology: "As a group, we solemnly acknowledge the occurrence of this situation and deeply apologize for the significant inconvenience and concern it has caused our customers, shareholders, and all other stakeholders."

According to the company, in response to their management and supervisory responsibilities, the managing directors of NAMCO BANDAI Holdings and NAMCO BANDAI Entertainment and 13 former directors of NAMCO BANDAI Entertainment have had their compensation reduced for three months, and 11 former managers under their direct supervision have also been punished in accordance with company regulations.

Source : ORICON NEWS