Taiwan Quick Take: Embezzler accuses Soong

Businessman Liang Po-hsun (梁柏薰), who is serving a prison term for embezzling funds from the Overseas Chinese Bank, told a Taipei District Court hearing on Monday that prosecutors should resume their investigation into the Chung Hsing Bills Finance scandal (興票案) involving People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜). "Soong was more corrupt than President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and he is not qualified to run for Taipei mayor," Liang said during the trial. He alleged he would offer evidence proving Soong's involvement in the scandal a few days before the election on Dec. 9. In response, Soong yesterday said Liang's remarks were total nonsense. Liang said he and Soong were once close friends until his Overseas Chinese Bank became embroiled in scandal. Liang has said that he gave Soong NT$80 million (US$2.4 million) during the 1992 legislative election. Soong denied the allegation.