Public prosecutors yesterday said they have decided not to indict former president Chen Shui-bian’s (陳水扁) children and his son-in-law on corruption and forgery charges in a case involving the State Affairs Fund.
The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office said in a statement that Chen’s daughter, Chen Hsin-yu (陳幸妤), son, Chen Chih-chung (陳致中), and son-in-law, Chao Chien-ming (趙建銘), did not actively give receipts to former first lady Wu Shu-jen (吳淑珍) to claim expenses from the fund earmarked for the discretionary use of the president.
The prosecutors’ office said an investigation found that it was Wu who requested the receipts from Chen Hsin-yu, Chen Chih-chung and Chao, leading prosecutors to not pursue the indictment of the younger relatives, who were said not to have known the benefit of gathering receipts.
Photo: Taipei Times
“[Judicial agencies] searched for evidence and poured over details for this investigation, which lasted eight years. This announcement has restored justice for us, but justice has come too late,” Chen Chih-chung said yesterday.
The State Affairs Fund allegations were among several corruption cases that have embroiled the former first family.
However, Chen Shui-bian and his family members have long maintained it is political persecution by the judiciary with behind-the-scenes directives from the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and its top leaders.
Chen Shui-bian and Wu, in 2011, were convicted of forgery by the Taiwan High Court and were each given 10-month prison sentences. The verdict was appealed to the Taiwan Supreme Court and a final ruling has yet to be made.
Judicial proceeding against Wu accused her of committing fraud by pocketing NT$5.42 million (US$163,746, at current exchange rates) from the State Affairs Fund via fraudulent use of receipts collected from family members and close friends to claim expenses between 2000 to 2003.
Additional reporting by CNA
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