The Special Investigation Panel (SIP) yesterday called Far Glory Group (遠雄集團) chairman Chao Teng-hsiung (趙藤雄) in for questioning over allegations he made political donations of NT$30 million (US$1 million) to the former first family.
SIP spokesperson Chen Yun-nan (陳雲南) said the SIP made Chao a witness so that he could provide them with information regarding a list of 20 businesspeople who allegedly made political donations to the former first family.
Chao emerged from the SIP office at about 12pm.
Approached by reporters, Chao denied making political donations to the former first family.
“The [former first] lady [Wu Shu-jen, 吳淑珍] probably remembered things incorrectly,” he said.
Last month, the SIP confirmed that the former first lady had handed prosecutors a list that detailed political donations totaling NT$1.21 billion by 20 businesspeople to former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁).
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Among them were industry giants, including executives from Formosa Plastics Group, Hon Hai Precision Industry Group, Far Eastern Group and many others, a local weekly magazine reported.
Chen Yun-nan confirmed reports that investigators visited the former first lady at her home yesterday afternoon to question her about the money laundering case and the list of businesspeople.
This was the fifth time the SIP questioned Wu regarding the case.
Chen Shui-bian, his wife, son and daughter-in-law were indicted on Dec. 12 on charges of corruption, money laundering, embezzlement and forgery.
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