Former Tainan Bureau of Economic Development Director Chen Kai-ling Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison in First-Instance Verdict

On August 16, 2023, the Tainan District Court of the Republic of China delivered its first-instance verdict in the corruption case of Chen Kai-ling, former Director-General of the Tainan Municipal Bureau of Economic Development. Because Chen confessed to all charges—including bribery, receiving sexual services, and money laundering—and returned the illicit gain of NT$1.8 million during trial, the court sentenced him to 8 years in prison and a 5-year deprivation of public rights. The charges sustained included defrauding property under official duties under the Anti-Corruption Act, money laundering, and making false entries in public documents. All seized illegal gains were confiscated. The verdict established Chen's severe abuse of power and misconduct during his tenure, which was later commuted to 6 years and 5 months in prison on appeal.