Taiwan ex-leader’s wife guilty in Money Laundering
On February 10, former first lady of Taiwan, Wu Shu-chen, pleaded guilty to money laundering and forgery, however, she denied embezzlement charges at a hearing into her high-profile corruption case. This was her first appearance in court in more than 2 years.
The wheelchair-bound lady, aged 56, admitted that she had wired USD 2.2 million abroad. She said that this the money came from a political donation and that this was not a bribe as claimed by prosecutors.
Referring to the money received from an exhibition hall construction deal, she said that she pleads guilty in the Nankang case and the related money laundering. Also, Wu admitted forging documents in a separate case that involved embezzled public funds, however, she denied using the money for her personal gain.
Besides money laundering, former president Chen has been charged with embezzlement, bribery, influence peddling and extortion. If convicted on all counts, the ex-president faces life in prison. Chen denies the charges.
Chen is next due in court for a 3-day session that will begin on February 24.