Chen Kai-ling Indicted for Corruption, Accepting Sexual Services, and Mortgage Fraud

On April 20, 2023, the Tainan District Prosecutors Office of the Republic of China announced the indictment of former Tainan Bureau of Economic Development Director-General Chen Kai-ling on multiple charges, including defrauding property, accepting bribes, possessing assets of unknown origin under the Anti-Corruption Act, as well as money laundering and fraud. The indictment revealed that Chen exploited his control over local development projects to solicit NT$1.8 million in cash from developers and accepted hotel entertainment and sexual services at least six times, totaling over NT$140,000. Additionally, he allegedly colluded with developers to inflate property prices to secure NT$2.96 million in excess loans from banks. The scandal exposed severe misconduct, bribery, and fraud by a local department head, drawing strong public condemnation.