Keelung Councilor Tseng Chi-yen Faces Detention Over Alleged Bid-Rigging

Keelung City Councilor Tseng Chi-yen faces serious allegations of corruption, with prosecutors seeking his detention. Tseng is accused of collaborating with a contractor, identified only by the surname Ho, to steer public works projects his way. The alleged scheme involved using the councilor's discretionary funds to ensure Ho's company secured lucrative government contracts.

Investigators from the Agency Against Corruption and the Investigation Bureau received tips suggesting Ho's company engaged in bid-rigging and collusion since 2021. The investigation expanded to include suspicions of bribery to city officials and inflated contract prices. The alleged corruption points to a systematic abuse of power, with Tseng accused of leveraging his position to benefit the contractor.

Raids were conducted on multiple locations, including Ho's company, city government offices, and Tseng's own offices. Seventeen defendants and seven witnesses were brought in for questioning. Tseng, along with two other individuals, was subsequently requested for detention by prosecutors, while others received bail. The case is being investigated under anti-corruption and government procurement laws, highlighting a significant crackdown on alleged malfeasance within local government.