Former Taiwan leader's wife pleads guilty

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-02-11 08:48

The wife of former Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian pleaded guilty to some of the embezzlement and money laundering charges brought against her at the Taipei District Court Tuesday.

Wu Shu-chen admitted she had transferred money overseas as prosecutors described in the money laundering charge, had taken $2.2 million due to the construction project of Nangang Exhibition Hall, had received NT$200 million ($5.9 million) from Taiwan Cement Group chairman Leslie Koo and had forged documents in a government special expenses case.

Wu Shu-chen, the wife of former Taiwan "president" Chen Shui-bian, and her son, Chen Chih-chung (2nd from left), charged with money laundering, arrive at the Taiwan Taipei District Court for a pre-trial session on February 10, 2009. Wu and Chen were indicted last month on charges of embezzling from a special "presidential" fund. [Agencies]

But she denied embezzling special expenses from the government, saying she helped collect expense-claim invoices at the request of her husband's assistants.

She also said Koo's NT$200 million was a campaign donation, rather than kickback for Taiwan Cement's successful bid for land in Hsinchu Science Park.

As for the $2.2 million related to Nangang Exhibition Hall, she refused to call it bribery or a donation and said Chen Shui-bian knew nothing about it.

The trial was adjourned till March 3 and 5.

After the hearing, Wu read a statement to express her regret, apologize and declare she would face legal proceedings despite her "frail health".

The latest development of the high-profile case in Taiwan was largely expected after Chen's son and daughter-in-law - Chen Chih-chung and Huang Jui-ching - pleaded guilty to money laundering last month.

The consensus is that the Chen family's strategy is to spare the young couple jail, though the older couple would have to be implicated.

Wu had subsequently contacted prosecutors through her lawyers to say she was willing to repatriate key funds under investigation, including NT$700 million in Switzerland, NT$570 million in other countries and the NT$600 million in cash and jewelry exposed by her son.

Observers pointed out that Wu's guilty plea Tuesday was necessary to win good will for her son, as the prosecutors are still considering the younger couple's plea for leniency. However, nothing in her plea can be used to incriminate her husband.

Chen Shui-bian has been charged with embezzlement, taking bribes, money laundering, influence peddling and extortion. He may face life in prison upon conviction.

A total of eight people have so far pleaded guilty for their alleged roles in the case, including Wu and four other family members.

Recently, Chen's friends have been trying to portray the former leader as henpecked man, saying Wu often acted on her own behind Chen's back.

The health of the wheel-bound Wu was the subject of speculation before the court trial Tuesday. This was her first court appearance for more than two years after she collapsed at the start of a trial in 2006 over an embezzlement charge. She had excused herself from the following 17 court sessions on health grounds.

To prevent Wu's health issue from stalling the legal proceedings, Taipei District Court took unprecedented measures of enforcing a 10-minute break for every 30 minutes of court time Tuesday. Two doctors and two nurses stood by, also available was one of the two NT$6-million mobile intensive care ambulances.