dent Chen Shui-bian's chief of staff NT$30,000 each for failing to testify at the court as witnesses in the trial on First lady Wu Shu-chen's alleged scams concerning the misappropriations of the presidential "state affairs" fund. Wu did not show up for the fifth trial hearing, citing blood pressure and depression problems.
She has made only one appearance, at the first hearing Dec. 15, and missed all four hearings since.
Presidential Secretary-General Chen Tan Sun, Second Bureau chief Yu Shin-ming, section chief Wu Chien-ping, Anti-Corruption Department chief Hsieh Chien-tsai and section chief Hsiao Yi-chang were summoned as witnesses.
But none of the five went to the court to answer questions from prosecutors.
The court fined each of them NT$30,000 for failing to report to the court "without valid reasons."
The five will face more fines if they are absent from court again when summoned, chief judge Tsai Shou-hsun ruled at the hearing.
The panel of judges also asked prosecutors to investigate claims that they have been involved in concealing, damaging or destroying relevant documents for possible indictment.
The president's office issued a statement Thursday saying the aides would not attend because the hearing concerned state secrets and could "jeopardize national interests".
The Presidential Office said late last night that it will appeal the fines leveled against its officials.
In addition to the first lady, Ma Yung-cheng, a former deputy secretary-general to the president; Lin Teh-hsun, Chen's chief of the secretariat; and Chen Cheng-hui, an auditor at the Office of the President, were also indicted by prosecutors for corruption and forgery.
Evidence collected by prosecutors show that huge expenditures from the president's personal state affair fund were claimed with invoices issued to other people, including members of the first family.
President Chen, was not indicted, only because he is immune from prosecution as long as he stays in office before his term ends in May next year.
He has admitted using false receipts to claim refunds, but insisted the funds were used for "extremely sensitive secret diplomatic missions" and he would never reveal the details that could be used as evidence in the trial.
Chief Prosecutor Chang Hsi-huai again proposed to search the Presidential Office so that the trial may proceed.
The panel of judges once again vetoed the motion.
But the court ruled that six spending items were not related to national secrets and decided to open on Jan. 23 the more sensitive statements, legal files and documents to both public prosecutors and defense lawyers so as to let the trial move on.
It asked the Presidential Office to present its opinions if it holds opposite views before noon of Jan. 22.
The court also turned down defense lawyers' latest request to suspend the trial on grounds that any trial related to the president could violate the Constitution.
It emphasized that the court already made it clear in previous ruling that there is no constitutional disputes involved.
The next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 2.
Chief prosecutor Chang Hsi-huai said the prosecution side needs a more comprehensive report from a team of doctors on the first lady's health and mental conditions to justify her repeated absence and future no-show.
Opposition lawmakers accused President Chen of making an elaborate effort to stall the judicial process although he has repeatedly told the nation that all people are equal before the law.
Vice President Annette Lu suggested that the grand justices speed up the pace to hand down a constitutional interpretation as quickly as possible to determine if the judicial branch has interfered with the executive powers in the controversial case.
