The Taiwan High Court reduced the life sentences of former President Chen Shui-bian and his wife, former first lady Wu Shu-jen, both previously found guilty on multiple counts of corruption, to 20 years imprisonment each June 11.
Chen’s fine was cut from NT$200 million (US$6.20 million) to NT$170 million, while Wu’s fine went from NT$300 million to NT$200 million. Both lost their civil rights for 10 years.
Chen family members and other defendants in multiple cases involving corruption, money laundering and embezzlement also received reduced sentences and fines. Their original sentencing had been handed down by the Taipei District Court Sept. 11, 2009.
Son Chen Chih-chung’s sentence was shortened from 30 months to 14 months, and his fine dropped from NT$150 million to NT$30 million, while his wife, Huang Jui-ching, had her sentence decreased from 20 months to 12 months, suspended for four years, and her fine reduced from NT$150 million to NT$20 million. She must pay NT$10 million to the national treasury. The pair had pleaded guilty to money-laundering charges.
Two of the ex-president’s closest aides, Ma Yung-cheng, former secretary-general of the Presidential Office, and Lin Teh-shun, former director of Chen Shui-bian’s office, convicted of embezzlement, forgery and fraud, were handed reduced sentences of 11 years six months and 12 years six months, respectively. Both were stripped of their civil rights for five years.
The sentence of Tsai Ming-che, who had ties to Wu Shu-jen and was convicted of graft and money laundering, was cut from 24 months to 19 months, while his civil rights were restored and a fine of NT$3 million was cancelled. He must, however, pay in NT$30 million to the national treasury.
Former Hsinchu Science Park Director-General James L. Lee, found guilty of graft in connection with an industrial park in Longtan, Hsinchu, received a 24-month sentence, down from six years, and his civil rights were also restored. He is now required to turn over NT$30 million to the national treasury.
One defendant who came out worse in the High Court’s ruling was ex-presidential cashier Chen Chen-hui, convicted on charges of embezzlement, forgery and fraud. Chen had previously avoided sentencing in return for assisting prosecutors during the investigation and trial. She was handed a term of 7 months, suspended for two years.
As of June 11, the Chen family had wired US$14.26 million from accounts in Switzerland to a special account designated by prosecutors, out of a total of US$21.7 million sought by the court. One of the judges said sentences were reduced in light of the ongoing return of the funds.
In a separate hearing following the sentencing, the High Court’s collegiate panel listened to arguments concerning the continuing detention of the former president, who has been held since Dec. 30, 2008. After two hours of heated testimony, the judges, expressing concerns that Chen would flee the country, returned him to custody. He will be notified in writing at a later date as to whether he will remain in detention.
Write to Thomas Nash at thnash@mail.gio.gov.tw