Second Taiwan leader accused of corruption
Source: Agencies |
July 1, 2011, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FORMER Taiwan leader Lee Teng-hui was indicted on graft charges yesterday, becoming the second recent leader accused of corruption.
Prosecutors said Lee diverted parts of a special government fund to use for a think tank to serve as his private office after he left political life.
"Lee Teng-hui pocketed US$7.79 million for his own personal use through money-laundering," the prosecutors' office said. "In order to set up the Taiwan Research Institute, he consulted with his advisers and decided to get the money from a security bureau project fund."
Prosecutors began investigating after Lee stepped down in 2000, and three years later charged the security bureau's chief accountant with corruption. Charges were eventually dropped for lack of evidence.
A spokesman said Lee was "bewildered" by the indictment and said he "regretted the untrue accusation" against him. Now 88, Lee became the island's first directly elected leader in 1996. The Koumintang expelled Lee from the party shortly after he left office.
Lee's successor, Chen Shui-bian, is currently serving a 17 and a half years for bribery in a case that marked the first time a former leader of Taiwan had been jailed.
Political scientist Chao Yung-mau of Taiwan University said Lee's indictment reflects Taiwan's growing judicial independence. "This shows that Taiwan's judiciary can now investigate and prosecute former leaders without political interference."
Prosecutors said Lee diverted parts of a special government fund to use for a think tank to serve as his private office after he left political life.
"Lee Teng-hui pocketed US$7.79 million for his own personal use through money-laundering," the prosecutors' office said. "In order to set up the Taiwan Research Institute, he consulted with his advisers and decided to get the money from a security bureau project fund."
Prosecutors began investigating after Lee stepped down in 2000, and three years later charged the security bureau's chief accountant with corruption. Charges were eventually dropped for lack of evidence.
A spokesman said Lee was "bewildered" by the indictment and said he "regretted the untrue accusation" against him. Now 88, Lee became the island's first directly elected leader in 1996. The Koumintang expelled Lee from the party shortly after he left office.
Lee's successor, Chen Shui-bian, is currently serving a 17 and a half years for bribery in a case that marked the first time a former leader of Taiwan had been jailed.
Political scientist Chao Yung-mau of Taiwan University said Lee's indictment reflects Taiwan's growing judicial independence. "This shows that Taiwan's judiciary can now investigate and prosecute former leaders without political interference."
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