Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-Bian scored political goals when he came
to Belize in 2004, but tonight he has fallen from grace. Shui-Bian has been
sentenced to life in prison by a Taiwanese court which convicted him on graft
charges Friday.
58 year old Chen has been imprisoned since December on the charge of embezzling
$3.15 million from a special presidential fund during his 2000 to 2008 presidency.
He was also accused of receiving $9 million in bribes for facilitating a land
deal.
But it doesn't end there. Chen's wife was also convicted on related
offenses, and also sentenced to life in prison. The two were also fined a total
of $15 million. The sentence will automatically be appealed.
Chen came to power in 2000 on an anti-corruption pro-independence platform.
When he visited Belize in 2004, Chen donated $10 million towards the consecution
of an indoor sports center. That money is still there and will be used to construct
what is now an outdoor facility.
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