PHNOM PENH, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday convicted Pheng Kunthea Borey, the former protocol chief of Cambodia's Senate President Chea Sim, of fraud and sentenced her to 4 years in jail, according to the verdict read by Te Sam Ang, presiding judge.
The verdict said that her other 3 accomplices: two former Chea Sim’s advisors, Police Lt. Gen. Chan Kosal and Lt. Gen. Ponlork Ho were sentenced to 4 years each in jail, and one of former Chea Sim’s Cabinet members, Khieu Bora, was sentenced to 3 years in jail.
The four have been charged stemming from allegations they engineered scams involving hundreds of millions of dollars from more than 50 foreign companies in almost a decade-long scam spree in which they allegedly charged companies to get Chea Sim’s signature for humanitarian and development projects, some of which were fake.
Speaking to reporters briefly after the verdict delivery, Pheng Kunthea Borey pleaded innocent to the charges and said she would appeal.
“I completely deny the charges, I am innocent, I will appeal,” she said.
Pheng Kunthea Borey was arrested on September 28 in Koh Kong province while she was attempting to leave the country for Thailand.
The other three accused were arrested just days before her arrest.
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