Jail for former Taiwan politician
Source: AFP |
May 1, 2013, Wednesday
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Print Edition
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THE former secretary general of the Taiwan government was sentenced to seven years and four months in jail yesterday for pocketing more than US$2 million in bribes in a graft case that has rocked the island.
Lin Yi-shih, who was also a vice chairman of the ruling Kuomintang party, had claimed the charges against him were part of a political set-up after he was accused of using his influence to solicit bribes.
But the 44-year-old was found guilty of two corruption counts, including one of taking a bribe, after pocketing about NT$60 million (US2.03 million). The court also fined him NT$15.8 million.
Observers said the case dealt a heavy blow to Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou, who was re-elected for a second term in January 2012 pledging to fight corruption after his predecessor Chen Shui-bian was convicted in several graft cases.
"Lin was convicted and found guilty for two of the four counts, including using his power to take a bribe and property crime of unknown origin," Huang Chun-ming, a spokesman for the Taipei District Court, told reporters.
He was cleared of one count of taking a bribe and another of money laundering. His wife, mother and two uncles were also cleared of money laundering. Lin, who did not show up for the court session, will remain free while he appeals the court's ruling.
Lin resigned from his job in June last year after a businessman had accused him of taking bribes in exchange for several contracts when he was a lawmaker in 2010.
The businessman also made audio recordings of Lin making demands for bribes which were obtained by the local media.
Taiwan has been rocked by a string of high-profile corruption cases involving top officials, prompting the Ma government to set up a special anti-corruption body in 2011.
Lin Yi-shih, who was also a vice chairman of the ruling Kuomintang party, had claimed the charges against him were part of a political set-up after he was accused of using his influence to solicit bribes.
But the 44-year-old was found guilty of two corruption counts, including one of taking a bribe, after pocketing about NT$60 million (US2.03 million). The court also fined him NT$15.8 million.
Observers said the case dealt a heavy blow to Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou, who was re-elected for a second term in January 2012 pledging to fight corruption after his predecessor Chen Shui-bian was convicted in several graft cases.
"Lin was convicted and found guilty for two of the four counts, including using his power to take a bribe and property crime of unknown origin," Huang Chun-ming, a spokesman for the Taipei District Court, told reporters.
He was cleared of one count of taking a bribe and another of money laundering. His wife, mother and two uncles were also cleared of money laundering. Lin, who did not show up for the court session, will remain free while he appeals the court's ruling.
Lin resigned from his job in June last year after a businessman had accused him of taking bribes in exchange for several contracts when he was a lawmaker in 2010.
The businessman also made audio recordings of Lin making demands for bribes which were obtained by the local media.
Taiwan has been rocked by a string of high-profile corruption cases involving top officials, prompting the Ma government to set up a special anti-corruption body in 2011.
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