Taiwan files US suit to recover diplomatic funds

Taiwan has sued a Taiwanese-American man in its latest effort to get back $30 million (S$39 million) in diplomatic funds which it says was embezzled by him and his business partner, local media said on Wednesday.

Taiwan’s government last week filed a civil lawsuit in California against Ching Chi-ju, a United States (US) resident, seeking an injunction barring any trading of two lots of land he has transferred to his family, the Central News Agency said.

Ching, born in Taiwan but reported to hold a US passport, was placed on Taiwan’s wanted list in 2008 after he, together with business partner Wu Shih-tsai, was accused of embezzling the slush fund.

The duo were entrusted with the money by Taiwan’s foreign ministry in 2006 to help forge official ties with Papua New Guinea, a diplomatic ally of China, as both claimed to have good connections with officials there.

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_739691.html

 

Category: Taiwan