Corruption in Solar Power Projects Uncovered in Zhutang Township, Changhua County; 45 People Taken in During Searches, 7 Including Township Chief Applied for Detention; 7.27 Million NTD Seized

Changhua County's Zhutang Township has been hit by a corruption scandal involving solar power engineering projects. Yesterday (20th), prosecutors and investigators from anti-corruption units conducted multiple raids, mobilizing 214 personnel to simultaneously search the Zhutang Township Office and the Township Representative Council. They brought in Township Chief Cai Shuo-ren, who was undergoing a health checkup at a hospital, for questioning. Also taken in were Council Chairperson Lin Shu-nu, Yunlin County Erlun Township Chief Zhong Dong-rong, Council Chairperson Yang Shi-bin, and 45 others. Authorities seized cash totaling 7.27 million NTD. After questioning, prosecutors in Changhua County deemed that seven suspects, including Zhong Dong-rong, were strongly suspected of significant crimes and applied to the court for their detention and incommunicado custody. Cai Shuo-ren was released on bail of 1.2 million NTD pending further investigation.

The Supreme Prosecutors Office recently launched the "Jingping Project." Prosecutor Chen Ding-wen from the anti-corruption task force of the Changhua District Prosecutors Office directed the investigation yesterday morning (20th), involving the Central Mobile Workstation of the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau, the Maritime Investigation Division, and the Central Investigation Group of the Ministry of Justice's Agency Against Corruption. They are investigating allegations of corruption involving green energy projects against Zhutang Township Chief Cai Shuo-ren, Council Chairperson Lin Shu-nu, Yunlin County Erlun Township Chief Zhong Dong-rong, Council Chairperson Yang Shi-bin, and others.

News emerged yesterday that Cai Shuo-ren was undergoing a health checkup at a hospital when prosecutors took him away before the examination was completed, causing local discussions. Prosecutors confirmed today that the task force mobilized 214 personnel yesterday to simultaneously execute searches at 48 locations, seizing over 7.27 million NTD in cash. They summoned a total of 45 suspects and witnesses for questioning. After 15 prosecutors interrogated 41 individuals, they believed that seven suspects, including Zhong Dong-rong, were strongly suspected of crimes and had reasons and necessity for detention, thus applying to the court for their detention and incommunicado custody. Bail amounts ranging from 100,000 to 1.2 million NTD were set for others like Cai Shuo-ren.

Source: ETtoday News