The Taoyun District Prosecutor’s Office has summoned Cheng Wen-tsan, the Chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and former Mayor of Taoyuan City, on allegations of violating the Corruption Prevention and Criminal Activity Ordinance and other laws. Cheng, a prominent figure in Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was questioned on Friday, with the prosecutor alleging that he accepted a bribe in violation of Article 5(1)(3) of the Ordinance. The office consequently applied to the court for his detention and a ban on interviews. Following this, the SEF confirmed that Cheng had resigned on Sunday (TVBS reports).
The suspicions against Cheng are potentially linked to the “Changes to the Linkou Specific Area Plan – Gongwu Industrial Zone Expansion Programme,” a land development project from his tenure as mayor, submitted for consideration last year. Reports indicate that Cheng received NT$5 million in 2017, which he returned the following year. However, the court could not confirm the money as criminal proceeds, ultimately ruling Cheng should pay a NT$5 million bond and face travel restrictions, which the prosecution contested (United Daily News reports).
In light of the investigation, Cheng has maintained his innocence and refrained from responding to reporters’ inquiries. Kuo Ya-hui, spokeswoman for Taiwan’s presidential office, mentioned that President Tsai Ing-wen respects Cheng’s decision and called for a fair and expeditious judicial investigation (TVBS reports). Meanwhile, KMT Chairman Chu Li-lun questioned the timing of the investigation, pointing out the seven-year gap and urging the judicial authorities and President Lai’s administration to provide further explanations (163 News reports).