The former chairman of Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative said he had never used the organisation’s money for personal use as the trail in the 12-billion-baht embezzlement scandal got under way on Monday.
Supachai Srisupa-aksorn, 58, was taken from the Bangkok Remand Prison, where he was detained and denied bail since April 2, to the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road for examination of evidence.
Former KCUC chief Supachai Srisupa-aksorn
Public prosecutors allege that Mr Supachai siphoned 22 million baht from the cooperative's account on several occasions between April and October 2013, when he headed the cooperative, and transferred the money to his own bank account and to others.
Mr Supachai, however, told the judge he headed the co-op during turbulent times, but never stole or spent its funds for on personal affairs. He said after being indicted on embezzlement he had sold his land and gave the proceeds to the cooperative to try to make up for the losses.
He again denied charges of embezzlement and corruption in managing others' assets brought against him. The ex-KCUC chief plans to call three witnesses while the prosecution will summon 15.
The court will hear prosecution witnesses during four hearings and from the defendant bench for one, starting from March 8.