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City councilor in Taipei arrest for improper usage of finances

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Chen E-jun and her Aide Accused of Accepting Bribes: A Breakdown of the Case

City councilor in Taipei arrest for improper usage of finances

Let's dive into the latest controversy brewing in Taipei's political scene. Taipei City Councilor Chen E-jun, a Democrat, has found herself at the heart of an investigation for allegedly accepting bribes and misusing public funds. This isn't just a local affair; it's a tale involving corruption, fast-tracked permits, and a construction company, Pinchia Construction Co. Here's a lowdown on the charges, Pinchia's involvement, and the key players.

A Tangled Web: Pinchia's Involvement

The bribes supplied by Pinchia Construction Co were apparently offered in exchange for expediting the issuance of construction permits for a site in Taipei's Datong District. This alleged scheme didn’t just involve speeding up administrative procedures; it also utilized Chen's office as a cover to request assistance with tasks like moving street trees [2].

Pinchia Construction Co apparently hired Chen's assistant, Chang Hui-lin, as a consultant, paying her over NT$700,000 (equivalent to around US$23,329) per month [2]. In return, Chen and Chang are accused of pressuring city government departments responsible for permitting and construction reviews to work at a faster pace.

Facing the Music: Charges Against Kao Ming-yi and Hu Wei-liang

Kao Ming-yi, the president of Pinchia Construction Co, was indicted for offering bribes. He explained that Chang was hired because civil servants tended to respond more quickly when a city councilor was involved in monitoring construction progress [2]. Hu Wei-liang, the representative of Pinchia Construction Co, was also indicted for offering bribes as part of the scheme to expedite construction permits [2].

This case paints a picture of a construction company hoping to leverage Chen's influence for its own gain, using Chang to seek assistance with tasks such as providing constituent services and relaying urban renewal demands to Kao [2].

Chen and Chang have cooperated with the investigation and have reportedly returned the misappropriated funds [3]. Three other individuals, relatives of Chen and Chang, were also indicted for allegedly participating in the fraudulent salary scheme [3].

The investigation into Taipei City Councilor Chen E-jun's alleged bribes implicates not only her but also General-news regarding the construction company Pinchia Construction Co's involvement in offering bribes for expedited permits. The case also involves Chen's assistant, Chang Hui-lin, who was hired by Pinchia and is accused of pressuring city departments for faster work, and Pinchia's president, Kao Ming-yi, and representative, Hu Wei-liang, who have been indicted for offering bribes.

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