Taoyuan City Councilor Chang Chao-liang Detained for Allegedly Taking Bribes to Shield Illegal Construction

(Central News Agency, Taoyuan, 10th) Chang Chao-liang, a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) city councilor in Taoyuan, is suspected of accepting bribes to assist a developer in illegally constructing a warehouse on agricultural land. He is also accused of lobbying the then-section chief of the Agriculture Bureau to prevent the illegal structure from being reported and demolished. The Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office conducted a search yesterday and summoned the suspects for questioning. Early this morning, the two were arrested and a motion was filed with the court for their detention on charges of corruption. The Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office stated today that Chang is suspected of using his positions as an advisor to the Taoyuan City Government and as a city councilor between 2021 and 2023 to accept bribes from a developer. In return, he assisted the developer in illegally building a warehouse on agricultural land and lobbied the then-section chief of the Agricultural Land Management Division of the Taoyuan City Government's Agriculture Bureau. This action allegedly prevented the illegal warehouse from being reported and demolished, allowing it to be used. Yesterday, the Taoyuan prosecutors searched nine locations, including the residences and offices of Chang and four other individuals. They also summoned Chang, four other suspects, and six witnesses for questioning. After an overnight interrogation, prosecutors determined that Chang is suspected of violating the Anti-Corruption Act by accepting bribes in exchange for actions contrary to his official duties. The former section chief is suspected of violating the same act for seeking personal gain. Both are considered to have significant criminal suspicion. The prosecution argued that there is evidence suggesting the two may destroy evidence or collude with accomplices and witnesses. Furthermore, as the crimes carry a minimum sentence of five years in prison, there are substantial reasons to believe they might flee. They were arrested early this morning, and the court has been petitioned to detain them. The other three defendants were released on bail ranging from NT$50,000 to NT$500,000.