Taiwan Today

The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office indicted the wife, children and son-in-law of former President Chen Shui-bian, as well as a former chairwoman of Taipei Financial Center Corp. July 17. Former first lady Wu Shu-jen is charged with inciting false testimony, while the former president’s son Chen Chih-chung, daughter Chen Hsing-yu, son-in-law Chao Chien-ming and ex-chairwoman Diana Chen face perjury charges. As those indicted have already confessed to their crimes, prosecutors have asked the court to hand down reduced sentences. The indictment states Wu used the opportunity presented by Chen Shui-bian’s access to state affairs fund to collect reimbursements for personal purchases totaling in excess of NT$340,000 (US$10,317) in collaboration with Chen Hsing-yu, Chen Chih-chung and Chao Chien-ming. The Taiwan High Prosecutors’ Office stated it found that Wu, in seeking to avoid indictment, had instructed Chen Hsing-yu, Chen Chih-chung and Chao Chien-ming to falsely testify that receipts used in applying for reimbursements were for gifts bought on behalf of Wu and Chen Shui-bian. The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office increased the scope of its investigation into money laundering by Chen Shui-bian. It discovered discrepancies in testimonies given by Chen’s children and son-in-law and passed this information along to the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office. Wu and the others then confessed to giving false testimonies on the matter. Diana Chen previously told prosecutors she had visited the then-president’s residence and asked for chairmanship of Grand Cathay Securities Corp. and that Wu promised to pass her request on to then-Minister of Finance Lin Chuan. Chen said the NT$10 million she gave the Chens was a political donation and not a bribe. In April, while giving testimony at the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office, Diana Chen changed her story, stating she had never asked for the chairmanship and that neither Chen Shui-bian nor Wu Shu-jen had ever promised to help her obtain such a position. This contradicted the written record of her earlier statements. Separately, prosecutors asked the court to decide whether a travel ban for Chen Hsing-yu would remain in force. They have stated that Chen plans to study abroad and if the court does not make a ruling within one month, the prosecutors’ office will lift the ban. (MH-JSM) (The article originally appeared in the "United Daily News" July 18, 2009.)