Former Sanwan Township Mayor Wen Chih-chiang Involved in 134 Corruption Charges, Second Trial Increases Total Sentence to Over 576 Years

(CNA, reporter Su Mu-chun, Taichung, June 30) Former Sanwan Township Mayor of Miaoli County, Wen Chih-chiang, was involved in a corruption case and accepted bribes totaling NT$12.89 million. The first trial sentenced him to a cumulative term of over 400 years. Following an appeal to the Taiwan High Court Taichung Branch, the second trial announced its verdict today, partially revoking the original judgment and increasing the sentence, bringing the total to over 576 years. The verdict can be appealed.

According to the prosecution's indictment, Wen Chih-chiang, while serving as the Mayor of Sanwan Township, Miaoli County, between 2018 and 2021, accepted bribes in 131 cases related to engineering and personnel matters. These included the Sanwan Township Office Reconstruction Project, the Township Office's solar power system land lease case, accepting bribes to leak engineering reserve prices, and personnel bribery cases for the cleaning team, with illicit gains exceeding NT$12.89 million.

Furthermore, Wen Chih-chiang used his mother's and son's accounts to deposit bribe money, and later used remittances to jointly invest in land purchases, thus violating money laundering laws. After investigation, the Miaoli District Prosecutor's Office indicted Wen Chih-chiang on charges including violating the Anti-Corruption Act by accepting bribes in breach of official duty, violating the Money Laundering Control Act by money laundering, violating the Criminal Code by leaking secrets, and violating the Government Procurement Act by colluding in bid rigging.

The Miaoli District Court, in its first trial, considered Wen Chih-chiang's 134 offenses, including violating the Anti-Corruption Act by accepting bribes in breach of official duty, agreeing to accept bribes not in breach of official duty, violating the Criminal Code by leaking secrets, and violating the Government Procurement Act by colluding in bid rigging. As each case involved separate intent and distinct actions, they were to be judged and punished individually, with sentences ranging from 10 months to 10 years and 6 months for each case, totaling over 400 years.

Unexpectedly, Wen Chih-chiang did not appear in court for the second trial at the Taiwan High Court Taichung Branch, and is suspected of absconding after posting bail. The Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Justice has listed Wen Chih-chiang as an "absconding fugitive," with Hong Kong being a potential destination.

After review by the Taiwan High Court Taichung Branch, the court today announced the revocation of 130 counts of the original judgment against Wen Chih-chiang, including 1 count of accepting bribes not in breach of official duty, 119 counts of accepting kickbacks in public engineering projects, 3 counts of leaking secrets not related to national defense, 4 counts of agreeing to accept bribes not in breach of official duty, and 3 counts of agreeing to accept bribes in breach of official duty. Sentences for these ranged from 8 months to 10 years and 5 months of fixed-term imprisonment. For the charges under the Anti-Corruption Act, civil rights were also revoked, and illicit gains were confiscated.

Additionally, the second trial rejected parts of the appeal by the prosecution and Wen Chih-chiang regarding 4 counts of public officials leaking secrets not related to national defense, which are not subject to further appeal and have become final.

The Taiwan High Court Taichung Branch stated today that the collegiate bench considered that Wen Chih-chiang had been involved in various engineering projects in Sanwan Township, leaked secrets, and allowed related bidders to collude in bid rigging for an extended period, thereby receiving kickbacks or bribes. This severely undermined the integrity of the government procurement system, greatly damaged the reputation of government agencies and public officials, and corroded the legal foundations of the nation and society. The second trial increased the sentences, totaling 576 years and 7 months for 134 counts. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150630

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