Vice President Annette Lu has pleaded innocent to charges that she illegally collected government reimbursements.

She made the plea at the opening of her trial on Monday. Lu allegedly used bogus receipts to receive NT$5.6 million  (US$170,000) in reimbursements from the government. Prosecutors say that Lu's aides collected the receipts from unidentified parties.

Several other leading politicians, including Kuomintang presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou have faced similar charges.

Lu told a Taipei District Court judge that she had no knowledge of how her aides claimed the reimbursements. She also said that all of her funds were used for official purposes.

Lu said the rules regarding special funds are vague. She said that she acted the same way that 6500 other officials do who are entitled to such funds. And Lu said that she as an individual should not be faulted for problems with the system.