Taiwan frigate scandal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Taiwan frigate scandal was a huge political scandal, both in Taiwan and France.

History[]

In 1998 a former French foreign minister claimed that US$500 million commission was paid by Thomson-CSF (now Thales), the prime contractor, on the sale of La Fayette-class frigates to Taiwan.[1] Eight people involved in the contract died in unusual and possibly suspicious circumstances.[2] Arms dealer Andrew Wang fled Taiwan to the UK after the body of presumptive whistleblower Captain Yin Ching-feng was found floating in the sea.[3]

In 2001 Swiss authorities froze accounts held by Andrew Wang, his wife, and his son Bruno Wang in connection to the Taiwan frigate scandal.[4]

Politician James Soong has been implicated in the Taiwan frigate scandal, in 2022 a relevant account was revealed as part of the Suisse secrets leaks.[5]

Six ROC naval officers were indicted on corruption charges relating to the affair.[citation needed]

In 2003, the Taiwanese Navy sued Thomson-CSF (Thales) to recover alleged $590 million in kickbacks, paid to French and Taiwanese officials to grease the 1991 La Fayette deal.[6] In 2006 Andrew Wang, his wife, and their four children were indicted by Taiwanese prosecutors on charges of bribery, money laundering and related illegal actions.[3]

The kickback money was deposited in Swiss banks, and under the corruption investigation, Swiss authorities froze approx. $730 million in over 60 accounts. In June 2007 the Swiss authority returned $34 million from frozen accounts to Taiwan, with additional funds pending.[7] Andrew Wang died in the UK in 2015 and collection efforts continued against his family.[3] In 2017 Taiwan’s supreme court ordered the return of US$312.5 million in illegal proceeds held by the Wang family.[3]

In February 2021, the Federal Department of Justice and Police said that Switzerland will restitute nearly US$266 million to Taiwan.[8] In July 2021 a Taiwanese high court ordered the return of US$520 million of illegal proceeds from the scandal which was in addition to the US$312.5 million ordered returned in 2017.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ Trueheart, Charles (13 March 1998). "France Embroiled in Scandal du Jour". Washington Post. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  2. ^ Schofield, Hugh (1 December 2003). "Book delves into frigate scandal". BBC News. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e Pan, Jason. "High Court orders return of illegal proceeds". www.taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  4. ^ Kirby, Emma-Jane. "Swiss target Taiwan arms dealer". news.bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  5. ^ Gibson, Liam. "Taiwan's People First Party defend founder Soong, rebuke corruption allegations". taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Navy sues French frigate contractor". Taipei Times. 7 November 2003. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  7. ^ "Lafayette scandal funds returned to Taiwan". Taipei Times. 15 June 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  8. ^ "Progress made on return of illegal kickbacks in Lafayette Frigate case". Taiwan News. Central News Agency. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
Retrieved from ""