|
Different strokes
Wednesday, Jun 16, 2010, Page 8
Former president Chen Shui-bian’s (陳水扁) sentence for embezzling state funds has
been reduced to 20 years in prison and a NT$170 million (US$5.2 million) fine.
Former first lady Wu Shu-jen’s (吳淑珍) sentence was also reduced to 20 years and a
NT$200 million fine. Nine others, including their son and daughter-in-law, were
also sentenced and fined.
In contrast, a court decision last month allowed People First Party Chairman
James Soong (宋楚瑜) to legally withdraw the NT$240 million related to the Chung
Hsing Bills Finance case he had deposited with the Taipei District Court in
2000. The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) is also laying claim to this money.
Prosecutors had dropped all charges against Soong. His sister-in-law is also
allegedly involved in the case, but, like Soong, is still free.
A few years ago, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) was charged with pocketing money
from the Taipei City mayoral office fund. He immediately donated the money to
charities, declared his candidacy for the presidency and was later acquitted by
the court. Ma is now president and KMT chairman.
Based on the above cases, it can be concluded that there are different verdicts
and fates for different embezzlers — possibly depending on their political
affiliations.
The embezzled funds could be considered state funds, party funds, political
contributions or personal funds, depending on the mood of the judges. The
embezzlers are acquitted if they donate the embezzled money to charities and run
for political office.
It is strongly recommended that Chen and Wu donate their embezzled funds to
charities and unemployed workers. If their embezzled funds include political
contributions, these should be returned to the Democratic Progressive Party. If
they do these things, the courts should at least waive their fines. Ma should
also return, as he has promised, the vast KMT assets stolen from the people of
Taiwan.
CHARLES HONG
Columbus, Ohio
|
