Former Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's son-in-law's jail term remained unchanged at seven years over allegedly being involved in insider trading, local media said, quoting a court decision on Thursday.

Taiwan's High Court also upheld former court decision to impose a fine of 30 million New Taiwan dollars (about 91,500 U.S. dollars).

In his first trial, Chao Chien-ming was convicted of using insider information to purchase stock in the Taiwan Trust and Development Corp. On Dec. 27, 2006, Chao was sentenced to six years in jail and fined 30 million New Taiwan dollars.

Chao was given a heavier sentence in June, 2007 because the Taiwan "Supreme Court" held that the money Chao illicitly derived from insider trading exceeded 100 million New Taiwan dollars, according to media reports.

Chao said he would still appeal the latest ruling.

(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2008)