Lawyer Sentenced for Role in $160 Million Fraud Scheme

Lawyer Li Yi-ting, also known as 'Xian Ta Lawyer,' has been sentenced to five months in prison and fined NT$80,000 for her involvement in a large-scale spiritual hall fraud scheme that defrauded elderly victims of NT$160 million. The Taipei District Court found her guilty of money laundering.

Li was accused of acting as a "mastermind" for the 'Ju Xin Hui' spiritual hall scam. Prosecutors alleged she leaked secret investigation records of the main suspect, Wu Fang-yi, and, after lawyer-client meetings, advised accomplices on selling off assets, including gold jewelry and a BMW. She was initially indicted on charges including money laundering and seeking a one-year sentence.

During the trial, Li initially pleaded not guilty, asserting she had not committed any acts of money laundering or leaking information with criminal intent. She argued that her actions were merely relaying messages and exercising her right to defense. However, after changing her defense lawyer, she made a significant shift in her plea, admitting guilt to all charges.

In her defense, Li stated she believed Wu Fang-yi's account and mistakenly thought the police indicated the car would not be seized. She admitted to transmitting messages about selling the car in a group chat, acknowledging this as a major legal misjudgment for which she was willing to take responsibility. The court ruled that her prison sentence could be commuted to labor service, and the fine is also payable in lieu of labor. Another lawyer involved, Cai Yuan-yu, was sentenced to five months for leaking information, while Zhao Hao-cheng was acquitted.

“

This is a major legal misjudgment for which I am willing to take responsibility.