Until then, the prominent businesswoman had insisted the money was a political donation for the Democratic Progressive Party.

As she was losing a power struggle at the China Development Financial Holding in 2004, Chen reportedly paid the money to Wu to help her obtain the chairmanship of Grand Cathay Securities Corporation. Then-Finance Minister Lin Chuan reportedly blocked the appointment, and Chen ended up as chairwoman of Taipei 101. She left the job early this year amid accusations of lackluster financial results.

She first allegedly told the story to prosecutors last year, but changed it at the Taipei District Court to reject all claims of a securities appointment. The change saddled her with a one-and-a-half-year prison sentence for perjury.

Chen said she had changed her story because she felt trapped between corruption and perjury allegations. She had never wanted to harm anyone, she told reporters after yesterday's High Court appearance.

She said she had never contacted Wu's husband, then-President Chen Shui-bian, for any favors, neither had Wu promised her anything.

The businesswoman's case is one of many surrounding the former First Family. The ex-president was sentenced to life in prison and a NT$200 million fine last September 11, while his wife received life and a NT$300 million fine. Both have launched appeals with the High Court.