Hsinchu County Magistrate Cheng Yung-chin Indicted for Accepting Bribes, 10-Year Sentence Requested

On August 9, 2006, the Hsinchu District Prosecutors Office of the Republic of China concluded its investigation into the building permit scandal involving Hsinchu County Magistrate Cheng Yung-chin. Prosecutors indicted him on charges including accepting bribes in violation of official duties under the Anti-Corruption Act, requesting a 10-year prison sentence and a 5-year deprivation of public rights. The prosecution accused Cheng of accepting large bribes from construction companies and pressuring county officials to illegally issue construction permits. The case dealt a major blow to local Hsinchu politics and the KMT's election prospects at the time. Although the court eventually acquitted Cheng in both first and second instances due to insufficient evidence, the indictment remains a major historical controversy highlighting public scrutiny over his integrity and ties with local developers.