Taiwan: Spy chief faces jail in money-laundering case

Taiwan's ex-intelligence chief has been indicted for allegedly covering up for the former president Chen Shui-bian over suspected money laundering.

Yeh Sheng-mao, a former director of the Investigation Bureau, faces more than two years' jail if found guilty of concealing evidence, said a spokesman for the Taipei district prosecutor's office.

"Yeh was a public servant when the crime was committed … As the director, he should be in charge of investigating money laundering but he failed to report the documents according to the procedure," the spokesman said.

Prosecutors raided Yeh's home last week. He has not commented on his indictment.

Yeh, who retired in July after more than six years in the post, is the first person to be charged after the island launched a probe this month into money-laundering claims against the Chen family.

Chen, his wife, son, daughter-in-law and brother-in-law have all been named as suspects in the case.

The ex-president has admitted his wife wired $US20 million ($23.3 million) abroad from his past campaign funds, but said she did so without his knowledge. He has denied any illegal activity.

Chen, who left office in May, is already being investigated for allegedly embezzling $T14.8 million ($560,200) in expenses, while his wife is on trial for corruption and document forgery in the same case.

Source: SMH