Taiwan’s Former President sentenced to 20 years in jail

Former Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian and his wife Wu Shu-chen should serve 20 years in prison, a high court ruled, as a government ombudsman suggested that medical parole for Chen might be in order. In addition to the prison terms of the former first couple, the Taiwan High Court also ordered Chen and Wu Shu-chen to pay 250 Million Taiwan Dollars (8.4 Million USD) and TW$200 million in fines, respectively. Chen and his family have been accused of laundering millions of dollars by sending political donations and secret diplomatic funds abroad, and taking kickbacks on government contracts. Chen, 62, was already serving an 18 1/2-year term for corruption and money-laundering convictions relating to his 2000-2008 presidency. Wu has not been imprisoned due to her poor health.