12th defendant named in Taiwan's former first family's money laundering case

The Special Investigation Division of the Supreme Prosecutors Office on Friday listed a college classmate of former first lady Wu Shu-jen as a defendant for allegedly helping Wu with money laundering, increasing the number of defendants in the case to 12.

Prosecutor Chen Yun-nan, director of the division, confirmed that his division had summoned Wu's former classmate Tsai Mei-li for questioning as a defendant in the case, but said Tsai begged out of the session because she was ill.

Tsai's two brothers -- Tsai Ming-che and Tsai Ming-chieh -- have already been listed as defendants in the case for allegedly serving as proxies in helping the former first family launder money abroad.

In addition to Wu, three other members of the former first family -- former President Chen Shui-bian, son Chen Chih-chung and daughter-in-law Huang Jui-ching -- have all been listed as chief defendants in the money laundering case.

Others listed as defendants include the former first lady's elder brother Wu Ching-mao, his wife Chen Chun-ying, former Mega Financial Holding Co. Chairman Cheng Shen-chih, Yuanta Securities board member Tu Li-ping, and former Presidential Office cashier Chen Chen-hui.

None of those listed as defendants in the case have been indicted on charges related to money laundering, as at this stage in the investigation they are still only viewed as suspects.

Wu Ching-mao was released Nov. 28 on NT$2 million (US$59,580) bail after he had been held in custody for 53 days to prevent possible collusion among the defendants and witnesses.

Prosecutors who examined the information provided by judicial authorities of Singapore about an account owned by Wu Ching-mao believe they have enough evidence to suspect that Tsai Mei-li and her brothers helped the former first lady transfer millions of U. S. dollars illegally to her brother's account with South Africa's Standard Bank in Singapore through their bank accounts in Hong Kong.

Prosecutors found that they money was later wired to a Swiss bank account held by the son and daughter-in-law of the former president and his wife.

Before listing Tsai Mei-li as a defendant, the prosecutors questioned her four times. On Sept. 25, they searched her residence and office for possible evidence. Her brother Tsai Ming-che has been held in custody since Oct. 2.

In addition to their alleged violations of laws against money laundering, Chen Shui-bian and his wife also face investigation on charges of embezzling state affairs funds of the Presidential Office and accepting bribes during the former president's two terms between 2000 and 2008.

With the permission of the Taipei District Court, the Special Investigation Division has detained the former president since Nov. 12, after interrogating him for six hours a day earlier.

Source: Taiwan News