Called to prosecutor’s office, they admit lying over embezzlement case
Ho Ai Li 23 June 2009
TAIPEI: The children of former president Chen Shui-bian yesterday admitted that they lied when questioned over an embezzlement case against Chen and his wife Wu Shu-chen.
The couple have been charged with taking some NT$104million (S$4.6million) through the use of fake receipts from a public fund meant for ‘state affairs’ during his eight years in power.
They also face charges of corruption and money laundering in the long-drawn- out case.
Prosecutors believe that Chen’s son, Chih-chung, daughter Hsing-yu and son-in-law Chao Chien-min also gave receipts to Wu - who used these to
claim money from the public fund - but lied about them, The China Post newspaper reported.
When summoned to the prosecutors’ office for questioning yesterday, all three owned up to perjury in the hope of getting a lighter sentence, Taiwan media reported. It is not clear what they lied about previously.
Perjury carries a jail term of six months to seven years.
Lawyers say the trio have a chance of getting a lighter sentence of a fine without jail, given that they have pleaded guilty and that their offence is not a serious one which calls for a minimum jail term of three years.
Speaking to the media after being questioned by prosecutors, Chen Chih-chung declined to say if he had pleaded guilty.
He said merely that he had given prosecutors a true account of events.
Yesterday morning, Chen Hsing-yu, known for her fiery temper, caused a scene at the Taipei District Court when her companions scuffled with the media in their bid to use umbrellas to shield her from the cameras.
Chen Hsing-yu, a dentist, was the only adult member of the former first family to stay out of trouble until she was charged with perjury earlier this month.
She is reportedly hoping to regain her freedom soon so she could travel to the United States to pursue further studies.
Meanwhile, opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairman Tsai Ing-wen is planning to collect signatures for a petition calling for the release of former president Chen, on the grounds that he did not get a fair trial.
Chen, who stepped down in May last year after serving two consecutive terms, has been held in custody at the Tucheng Detention Centre since being charged in December.
There are no limits to how long he might be detained, but his detention term is up for renewal at the end of next month.
His wife pleaded guilty in February to laundering US$2.2million (S$3.2million) and forging documents, but denied the more serious charges of embezzlement and corruption.
Ms. Tsai’s latest show of support for Chen has raised questions about whether she is doing so to strengthen her hold over the party, given her initial reluctance to back him.
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Chen’s children own up to perjury
Called to prosecutor’s office, they admit lying over embezzlement case
Ho Ai Li
23 June 2009
TAIPEI: The children of former president Chen Shui-bian yesterday admitted that they lied when questioned over an embezzlement case against Chen and his wife Wu Shu-chen.
The couple have been charged with taking some NT$104million (S$4.6million) through the use of fake receipts from a public fund meant for ‘state affairs’ during his eight years in power.
They also face charges of corruption and money laundering in the long-drawn- out case.
Prosecutors believe that Chen’s son, Chih-chung, daughter Hsing-yu and son-in-law Chao Chien-min also gave receipts to Wu - who used these to
claim money from the public fund - but lied about them, The China Post newspaper reported.
When summoned to the prosecutors’ office for questioning yesterday, all three owned up to perjury in the hope of getting a lighter sentence, Taiwan media reported. It is not clear what they lied about previously.
Perjury carries a jail term of six months to seven years.
Lawyers say the trio have a chance of getting a lighter sentence of a fine without jail, given that they have pleaded guilty and that their offence is not a serious one which calls for a minimum jail term of three years.
Speaking to the media after being questioned by prosecutors, Chen Chih-chung declined to say if he had pleaded guilty.
He said merely that he had given prosecutors a true account of events.
Yesterday morning, Chen Hsing-yu, known for her fiery temper, caused a scene at the Taipei District Court when her companions scuffled with the media in their bid to use umbrellas to shield her from the cameras.
Chen Hsing-yu, a dentist, was the only adult member of the former first family to stay out of trouble until she was charged with perjury earlier this month.
She is reportedly hoping to regain her freedom soon so she could travel to the United States to pursue further studies.
Meanwhile, opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairman Tsai Ing-wen is planning to collect signatures for a petition calling for the release of former president Chen, on the grounds that he did not get a fair trial.
Chen, who stepped down in May last year after serving two consecutive terms, has been held in custody at the Tucheng Detention Centre since being charged in December.
There are no limits to how long he might be detained, but his detention term is up for renewal at the end of next month.
His wife pleaded guilty in February to laundering US$2.2million (S$3.2million) and forging documents, but denied the more serious charges of embezzlement and corruption.
Ms. Tsai’s latest show of support for Chen has raised questions about whether she is doing so to strengthen her hold over the party, given her initial reluctance to back him.
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