Accountant admits guilt

Source: Xinhua  |   2009-2-20  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

FORMER Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's chief book-keeper, Chen Chen-hui, pleaded guilty yesterday to four charges including forgery, perjury, embezzlement and money laundering. She was indicted in an embezzlement case involving Chen Shui-bian and his family.

Chen Chen-hui told a court she brought money to Chen Shui-bian's home and forged financial documents under the orders of the former leader's wife, Wu Shu-chen.

During her previous court appearance on February 4, Chen Chen-hui only pleaded guilty to two of the charges ?? forgery and perjury. Then, she said she had transmitted money to some bank accounts under the request of Wu during the eight years when Chen was in office. She said she had no idea the money was illegal.

Ten of the 14 defendants in the corruption case linked to Chen Shui-bian have pled guilty to charges.

Chen Shui-bian and his wife were charged with embezzling NT$104 million (US$3.15 million) in public funds and accepting bribes of about US$9 million in a land purchase deal.

On February 10 Wu confessed to involvement in counterfeiting documents and laundering US$2.2 million overseas, but did not admit to embezzling "confidential funds."