Ao's relatives appear in court

RELATIVES of Macau's disgraced transport minister appeared in court yesterday to face charges in Macau's biggest corruption scandal, a government official said.

The trial took place as former Transport and Public Works Secretary Ao Man-long awaited a verdict in his own corruption case, in which he faced 76 counts of taking millions of dollars in bribes, laundering money and abusing his power to help property developers win lucrative construction tenders.

Ao's brother and sister-in-law appeared in court charged with 20 counts of money laundering, Macau government spokeswoman Elena Au said.

Ao's father, who was in court, and Ao's wife, who reportedly left Macau before her husband's arrest, are also implicated in the scandal. All have denied any wrongdoing, Hong Kong's government-run RTHK radio reported.

Four businessmen who allegedly paid Ao bribes for construction tenders were also named in the case.

Ao is the highest official to go on trial in Macau. He denied any wrongdoing during the month-long trial that ended in December. No date has been set for his verdict.

If convicted Ao could face up to 25 years in prison.

In a four-month investigation, anti-corruption officials said they uncovered assets worth about 800 million patacas (US$99.5 million), or 57 times more than Ao's family income over his seven-year term.

Macau, about 60 kilometers west of Hong Kong, is the only place in China where casino gambling is legal.

Last year it raked in more gaming revenue than the Las Vegas strip.