Former Taiwan leader's wife pleads guilty

The wife of former Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian pleaded guilty to some of the embezzlement and money laundering charges brought against her at the Taipei District Court Tuesday.

Wu Shu-chen admitted she had transferred money overseas as prosecutors described in the money laundering charge, had taken $2.2 million due to the construction project of Nangang Exhibition Hall, had received NT$200 million ($5.9 million) from Taiwan Cement Group chairman Leslie Koo and had forged documents in a government special expenses case.

But she denied embezzling special expenses from the government, saying she helped collect expense-claim invoices at the request of her husband's assistants.

The trial was adjourned till March 3 and 5.

The latest development of the high-profile case in Taiwan was largely expected after Chen's son and daughter-in-law - Chen Chih-chung and Huang Jui-ching - pleaded guilty to money laundering last month.