News Summary
Twin brothers Se Youn ‘Steve’ Kim and Hee Youn ‘Ted’ Kim face federal charges for tax evasion related to their tee time reselling operation in Southern California. Allegedly generating over $1.1 million, the Kims are accused of unlawfully brokering tee times at 17 public golf courses. Their actions, criticized by local golfers for creating monopolies, led to increased scrutiny and proposed regulations by city leaders. As complaints escalate, the brothers’ case may influence future policies regarding accessibility in the golfing community.
Los Angeles, CA – A federal grand jury has charged twin brothers Se Youn “Steve” Kim and Hee Youn “Ted” Kim, both 41 years old, with tax evasion stemming from their alleged involvement in a tee time reselling operation in Southern California, which reportedly generated over $1.1 million in income. The brothers are accused of unlawfully brokering tee times from at least 17 public golf courses in the region between 2021 and 2023.
According to prosecutors, the Kim brothers ran their business primarily through online platforms like KakaoTalk, effectively creating a “monopoly” on early morning tee time bookings. This monopolization has drawn complaints from local golfers, who expressed dissatisfaction over the increasingly difficult process of securing tee times at municipal golf courses. The frustration among the golfing community has escalated, prompting calls for action against brokers involved in such practices.
Local residents and golfers viewed the charges against the Kim brothers as a significant step toward justice, with many expressing hope that these actions could lead to improved accessibility for regular players. Critics have been vocal about the unfair advantage tee time brokers have had in the market, especially during the pandemic when demand surged and availability dwindled.
The Kim brothers reportedly generated approximately $700,000 during their tee time brokering operations but failed to report a combined income exceeding $1.1 million to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the tax years 2022 and 2023. This led to substantial tax liabilities, as they did not address previously assessed taxes. Evidence suggests that instead of settling their tax obligations, the brothers made extravagant purchases at high-end retailers, including Chanel, Cartier, and Louis Vuitton.
Ted Kim had previously claimed to operate within legal limits by using multiple devices to secure tee times. Alongside their brokering business, both brothers were employed as magnetic resonance imaging technicians, providing them with additional income outside of their tee time operations.
The investigation into the Kim brothers’ activities was initiated following numerous complaints from golfers who found it increasingly difficult to book rounds at municipal courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the rising concerns over tee time brokering, Los Angeles city leaders are implementing measures aimed at curbing this practice. Proposed changes include requiring a nonrefundable deposit for bookings and prohibiting the use of automated booking systems, which many believe contribute to the unethical reselling of tee times.
Community efforts have also emerged to combat tee time brokers. A social media campaign called “Free the Tee” has been launched to raise awareness of the issues created by such practices and to advocate for the rights of golfers in the Los Angeles area. In conjunction with these efforts, the city is actively monitoring golf course reservations to identify and penalize potential violations of rules against automatic bookings and resale practices.
The Kims face serious legal challenges ahead as they contend with these charges, which may set a precedent in the fight against tee time brokering in Southern California. The ongoing scrutiny of their operations is expected to have wider implications for the golfing community and local regulations regarding the accessibility and fairness of tee time reservations.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Twin Brothers Charged with Tee Time Brokering
- Wikipedia: Tee Time
- ABC7: Brothers Charged with Tax Evasion
- Google Search: Tee Time Brokering
- MSN: Tee Time Brokers Arrested
- Google Scholar: Tee Time Reselling
- Los Angeles Times: Success in Blocking Tee Time Brokers
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tee Time
- CBS News: Los Angeles Crackdown on Tee Time Brokers
- Google News: Tee Time Brokers
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LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana
