Lawyers sentenced in Taiwan cemetery plot fraud case

A Taipei court has handed down sentences to three lawyers implicated in a fraudulent cemetery plot scheme, including social media influencer Li Yih-chen, known as "Fairy Tower Lawyer."

Li was convicted of aiding money laundering and received a five-month prison sentence, along with a fine of 80,000 New Taiwan dollars, which can be paid or served through labor. The court found that while Li did not directly participate in the criminal acts, she intentionally assisted co-conspirators Chen Yung-shan and Wu Fang-yi in their money laundering activities by facilitating the sale of gold jewelry and a BMW.

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Ms. Wu is by my side and says there is a bracelet and two rings in the place where the mirror is in her house. Can you help her sell them first?

However, Li was acquitted of charges related to leaking investigation secrets, as evidence did not show she provided any documents or discussed case details with external parties. The court emphasized that lawyers, due to their professional expertise, must uphold legal standards and ethical conduct, but Li's actions fell short. She initially denied the charges but later confessed and expressed willingness to forfeit any criminal proceeds.

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If Ms. Wu is detained today, she has already given me the car keys. I will contact Su Ting-yi (Wu's cousin) to sell the car.

Another lawyer involved, Tsai Yuan-yu, was sentenced to five months for leaking investigation secrets. He conveyed information to Chen Yung-shan, including that the latter was a defendant and that another individual, Lu Ying-chang, denied the charges. The court noted Tsai's denial of guilt and considered his intellectual capacity and financial situation when determining his sentence.

A third lawyer, Chao Hao-cheng, was acquitted of all charges due to insufficient evidence linking him to the money laundering activities. The scheme involved Wu Fang-yi and Lu Ying-chang, who were accused of defrauding individuals through investment scams related to cemetery plots. Li Yih-chen was reportedly acting as a substitute lawyer for Wu Fang-yi when she relayed messages about selling assets to prevent them from being seized.

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Ms. Wu insists on selling, fearing the car will be seized.