Changhua County Council Speaker Hsieh Tien-lin, his parents and two others were taken into custody in court on suspicion of vote buying. His father, Hsieh Hsin-lung, was ordered detained without visitors or communication, while his mother, former legislator Cheng Ju-fen, was released on NT$1 million bail.
Prosecutors in Changhua opened an investigation into County Council Speaker Hsieh Tien-lin, his parents and two others on suspicion of vote buying under the Public Officials Election and Recall Act. They began work on Sept. 16 and, after questioning, concluded there were strong grounds to fear flight, destruction of evidence and interference with witnesses.
광고 문의 · 300×250The case stems from a banquet held at the county council on June 23. Prosecutors are examining whether the event amounted to buying votes through hospitality on behalf of the speaker's aunt, Chen Chen-fei, a candidate for mayor of Xihu Township.
After a court review on Sept. 17, the father, Hsieh Hsin-lung, was ordered held without visits or communication. Two others questioned in the case were released on NT$300,000 bail each with restrictions on residence.
His mother, former legislator Cheng Ju-fen, was released on NT$1 million bail. Whether the speaker himself will be detained awaits further proceedings.
The Hsieh family has long formed one axis of local politics in Changhua, with the speakership and a legislative seat held by different members. The investigation is expected to leave a mark on the local political landscape.
Taiwan's election law strictly bars money and hospitality offered to obtain votes. Whether a meal counts as ordinary socializing or as a bribe turns on whether there was an exchange, on timing, and on who attended.
With local elections approaching, the timing of the investigation has itself become contested. Prosecutors say the inquiry proceeds independently of the election calendar.
