Taiwan Pineapple scandal widens

Independent legislator Lin Jui-tu (林瑞圖) made another foray into the Taiwan Pineapple Corp saga yesterday, accusing two more senior officials in the judiciary of involvement in stock speculation.

Lin claimed that High Court justices Lan Wen-hsiang (藍文祥) and Su Lung-hui (蘇隆惠) as well as an unnamed chief prosecutor, were involved in stock speculation even before the now-infamous July 2 banquet during which Lin said a number of other officials became involved in insider speculation on Taiwan Pineapple stocks.

Lin broke the scandal last month by claiming the officials had been present at the banquet, during which they were allegedly pressured to purchase company stock, and were even offered compensation in the event they lost money.

Lin was careful in his assertions yesterday, however, saying only that records of money transfers and checks issued by Taiwan Pineapple chairman Huang Tsung-hung (黃宗宏) "seemed to" point to monetary relations between Huang and the judges named.

Lin also said Justice Yang Kui-hsiung (楊貴雄), whom he had already accused on Nov. 18 of involvement in the scandal, along with eight other judges, had a private meeting with Huang's wife Chen Mei-hsiu (陳美秀) this past June. The meeting was followed by a NT$5 million investment by Yang's wife in Taiwan Pineapple stock, and a quick run of short-term speculation on June 17, Lin said.

Lin said he still has a list of more than 10 judges, and will disclose their names in installments, depending on progress in the case and the Judicial Yuan's show of determination to tackle the case.

The accused judges were not available for comment yesterday. However, Yang's wife Yang Wang Wan-hui (楊王婉慧) yesterday denied involvement in the scandal.

On Nov. 18, Lin accused nine judges, including Yang, of speculating on Taiwan Pineapple stock after Huang promised them compensation in case of losses at a banquet on July 2.

On Nov. 25, the Judicial Yuan handed over a list of seven judges, including one Supreme Court justice, to the Control Yuan for investigation and disciplinary measures.