Taiwanese prosecutors on Thursday indicted Ko Wen-je, a former Taipei mayor and recent presidential candidate, on charges of corruption, misuse of political donations, and breach of trust.
Prosecutors are recommending a prison sentence of 28 years and six months.
According to AFP, Ko, leader of the Taiwan People’s Party, ran as a third-party candidate in Taiwan’s January presidential election, where he garnered about 25% of the vote.
However, he has since faced mounting allegations, including a high-profile corruption case linked to a property development project during his tenure as mayor from 2018 to 2022.
The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office announced the charges, stating that Ko had been involved in irregularities surrounding the Core Pacific City redevelopment project.
The project’s floor area ratio was significantly increased with city government approval, allegedly benefiting developer Sheen Ching-jing.
“Ko personally accepted a bribe of NT$15 million ($459,000) from Sheen in 2022 and unlawfully pocketed an additional NT$2.1 million from his company,” Kao I-shu, deputy chief prosecutor, said at a press briefing.
Prosecutors alleged that Sheen’s illegal gains from the project exceeded NT$20 billion ($625 million). Ko also faces accusations of destroying evidence during the investigation, including shredding notes in his office and instructing associates to flee the country.
“His behavior after the alleged crimes, including attempts to obstruct the investigation, reflects poorly on his post-offense conduct,” Kao added.
In addition to the corruption charges, Ko is accused of embezzling over NT$60 million in political donations meant for the TPP and misusing approximately NT$8.27 million from a social welfare foundation to fund his presidential campaign.
Ko has consistently denied the corruption allegations. Regarding his campaign finances, he apologized publicly to supporters, admitting errors in reporting but insisting there was no intentional wrongdoing.
Since September, Ko has been detained as investigations continue. He stepped aside from his role as TPP leader and resigned as the party’s chairman earlier this month through a letter written from prison.
