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Taiwan ex-president's associates plead guilty to corruption charges

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The sister-in-law of embattled former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian on Thursday entered a guilty plea at the Taipei District Court on charges of money laundering related to a corruption scandal surrounding the former leader and his associates. Chen Chun-ying admitted she had forged documents and transferred money to bank accounts upon orders from Chen Shui-bian and his wife, claiming that she did not know the money was illegally obtained and did not profit from the transfer. Businessman Kuo Chuan-ching also pleaded guilty to paying $2.7 million in kickbacks in exchange for a building contract. Kuo is expected to serve as a witness for the prosecution. Prosecutors reportedly rejected Chen Chun-ying's request to plea bargain due to ongoing investigations in the scandal. Chen Chun-ying is the fourth family member to enter guilty pleas for their roles in the scandal. The former president was indicted last year by Taiwanese prosecutors on charges including embezzlement, receiving bribes, forgery, and money laundering. His wife, his son and daughter-in-law, three former presidential aides, and eight other associates and family members have also been indicted. Chen Shui-bian has been detained since his November arrest on suspicion of embezzling money from the state affairs fund. Last month, Taiwan's High Court rejected Shui-bian's appeal protesting the court's previous decision to detain him while he awaits trial on corruption charges.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on February 05, 2009 (boomark / email).