First Substantive Hearing in Cheng Wen-tsan's Corruption Case, Fierce Debate Over the Nature of 5 Million NTD
Former Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan faced his first substantive trial over land development corruption. The defense and prosecution clashed over whether a 5 million NTD payment was a bribe or a political donation.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 22:47
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 23:01 (14 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 14:15 (111h 13m after Collected)
(Central News Agency reporter Wu Jui-chi, Taoyuan, 14th) Former Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan's corruption case involving land development in the Huaya Technology Park held its first substantive hearing today. The prosecution and defense clashed over whether the 5 million NTD involved was a bribe or a political donation. Cheng's defense team argued that the prosecution should use neutral terms until it establishes whether an agreement (quid pro quo) existed.
Cheng is accused of corruption regarding the expanded land development of the Linkou Special Zone Industry Five (Huaya Technology Park). The Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office indicted him under the Anti-Corruption Act and sought a 12-year sentence. After more than a year of preparatory proceedings, the court ruled last month that evidence such as wiretaps and interrogations were admissible. The Taoyuan District Court held its first trial hearing today, entering the substantive phase. Cheng Wen-tsan, Yang Chao-lin, and Liao Li-ting, who turned state's witness, were cross-examined by the prosecution and defense.
Liao Li-ting is the youngest son of Liao Chun-sung, former chairman of the Linkou Industry Five Rezoning Construction Management Committee. He is accused of going to Mayor Cheng's official residence with his father to deliver 5 million NTD, hoping to change a 9.12-hectare expansion project from zone expropriation to a privately initiated urban land consolidation. The prosecution's questioning focused on meeting records between the rezoning committee and the Taoyuan City Government, the process of delivering the cash to the residence, and Cheng's intentions in returning the money nearly a year later.
Liao Li-ting stated that on the evening of September 14, 2017, he and his father took a handbag containing 5 million NTD to the official residence. The money was instructed to be given to Cheng by Yang Chao-lin, a shareholder of Hongzhan Company, and was withdrawn in three batches of 1.2 million, 3 million, and 800,000 NTD. They stuffed the bag under a coffee table, but when Cheng entered, Liao was asked to wait outside and could not hear their conversation.
Liao believed Cheng must have known there was money in the bag. The following year, Yang Chao-lin asked him to deliver another 6 million NTD, allegedly to support Cheng's re-election campaign. However, on August 13, 2018, Cheng handed two bags to Liao at the residence. Liao found upon returning home that they contained the 5 million and 6 million NTD in cash, respectively. Liao guessed Cheng returned the money because he learned Liao Chun-sung's phone was tapped, and even scolded his father for having a 'big mouth.'
During cross-examination, the defense lawyer pointed out that the city government's final decision regarding the land development plan remained zone expropriation, which did not meet Hongzhan Company's demands. Additionally, Liao mentioned 7 times during interrogation that the 5 million was a political donation, and only changed it to a bribe under the investigator's guidance. Liao responded that he did not fully understand the meaning of political donation and thought any money given to politicians counted as such, but since they hoped the city government would accommodate specific requests, he believed he was not guided by the investigator.
The defense argued that Liao Li-ting did not actually participate in the conversations or dinners between Cheng, Liao Chun-sung, Yang Chao-lin, and another shareholder Hou Shui-wen. He was unclear whether there was an agreement or consideration between the parties. The defense deemed it inappropriate for the prosecution to repeatedly use the term 'bribe' before establishing the fact of an agreement.
Today's hearing lasted from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The elderly Yang Chao-lin left the court early around 4:30 p.m. due to physical exhaustion. Due to time constraints, the defense team postponed cross-examining Liao Li-ting to May 12. After the hearing, Cheng walked out of the court and responded to a reporter's question about his physique, saying, 'I ate better during the winter Lunar New Year, and I'll lose weight in the summer,' before getting in his car and leaving. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150414
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Cheng is accused of corruption regarding the expanded land development of the Linkou Special Zone Industry Five (Huaya Technology Park). The Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office indicted him under the Anti-Corruption Act and sought a 12-year sentence. After more than a year of preparatory proceedings, the court ruled last month that evidence such as wiretaps and interrogations were admissible. The Taoyuan District Court held its first trial hearing today, entering the substantive phase. Cheng Wen-tsan, Yang Chao-lin, and Liao Li-ting, who turned state's witness, were cross-examined by the prosecution and defense.
Liao Li-ting is the youngest son of Liao Chun-sung, former chairman of the Linkou Industry Five Rezoning Construction Management Committee. He is accused of going to Mayor Cheng's official residence with his father to deliver 5 million NTD, hoping to change a 9.12-hectare expansion project from zone expropriation to a privately initiated urban land consolidation. The prosecution's questioning focused on meeting records between the rezoning committee and the Taoyuan City Government, the process of delivering the cash to the residence, and Cheng's intentions in returning the money nearly a year later.
Liao Li-ting stated that on the evening of September 14, 2017, he and his father took a handbag containing 5 million NTD to the official residence. The money was instructed to be given to Cheng by Yang Chao-lin, a shareholder of Hongzhan Company, and was withdrawn in three batches of 1.2 million, 3 million, and 800,000 NTD. They stuffed the bag under a coffee table, but when Cheng entered, Liao was asked to wait outside and could not hear their conversation.
Liao believed Cheng must have known there was money in the bag. The following year, Yang Chao-lin asked him to deliver another 6 million NTD, allegedly to support Cheng's re-election campaign. However, on August 13, 2018, Cheng handed two bags to Liao at the residence. Liao found upon returning home that they contained the 5 million and 6 million NTD in cash, respectively. Liao guessed Cheng returned the money because he learned Liao Chun-sung's phone was tapped, and even scolded his father for having a 'big mouth.'
During cross-examination, the defense lawyer pointed out that the city government's final decision regarding the land development plan remained zone expropriation, which did not meet Hongzhan Company's demands. Additionally, Liao mentioned 7 times during interrogation that the 5 million was a political donation, and only changed it to a bribe under the investigator's guidance. Liao responded that he did not fully understand the meaning of political donation and thought any money given to politicians counted as such, but since they hoped the city government would accommodate specific requests, he believed he was not guided by the investigator.
The defense argued that Liao Li-ting did not actually participate in the conversations or dinners between Cheng, Liao Chun-sung, Yang Chao-lin, and another shareholder Hou Shui-wen. He was unclear whether there was an agreement or consideration between the parties. The defense deemed it inappropriate for the prosecution to repeatedly use the term 'bribe' before establishing the fact of an agreement.
Today's hearing lasted from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The elderly Yang Chao-lin left the court early around 4:30 p.m. due to physical exhaustion. Due to time constraints, the defense team postponed cross-examining Liao Li-ting to May 12. After the hearing, Cheng walked out of the court and responded to a reporter's question about his physique, saying, 'I ate better during the winter Lunar New Year, and I'll lose weight in the summer,' before getting in his car and leaving. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150414
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship of yours is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First Hand News' APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The texts, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.