Chinese Tainted Milk Scandal CEO Pleads Guilty, Could Face Death

by Tina Kells | December 31, 2008 at 12:52 pm

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The former CEO of Sanlu Group, Tian Wenhua, plead guilty today in a Chinese court to charges of producing and selling fake or substandard products in the melamine tainted milk scandal. He could face the death penalty.

Three other executives of Sanlu Group are facing similar charges but have not yet entered a plea. They also could be executed if convicted.

An executive at the heart of the Chinese melamine milk scandal has pleaded guilty to charges of producing and selling fake or substandard products, according to the state news agency.

Tian Wenhua, the former boss of Sanlu Group, went on trial on Wednesday and testified that she began investigating product quality issues in May but did not notify authorities until August, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Three other executives face similar charges after being linked to infant formula contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine.

They could be executed if convicted, the China Daily newspaper reported...

When consumed in large amounts, melamine can cause kidney stones and kidney failure.

At least six children have died, and nearly 300,000 people have become ill from consuming the contaminated products.