Keelung public works project suspected of bid-rigging, bribery; city procurement staff face detention request

A staff member from the Keelung City Government's procurement center is facing a detention request as part of an investigation into alleged bid-rigging and bribery in public works projects. The case involves suspicions of illegal activities dating back to 2022.

Prosecutors are investigating allegations that a company owner, identified by the surname He, manipulated bids for Keelung city government public works contracts. The investigation also suggests bribery of city officials and inflated pricing. Furthermore, the probe implicates a local councilor from the Kuomintang party, who allegedly used councilor's recommendation funds to steer public projects toward He's company.

On Tuesday, investigators searched 31 locations, including residences and offices of He, the procurement center, district offices, and the councilor's service office. Seventeen defendants, including the councilor, and seven witnesses were summoned for questioning. As of early Wednesday morning, prosecutors requested detention for the procurement center staff member, identified by the surname Yang. Two individuals surnamed Ye were granted bail of NT$200,000 each, while the vice general manager of He's company, surnamed Chen, was restricted from leaving the residence. The councilor's wife, surnamed Wu, was granted bail of NT$500,000 on suspicion of violating the Anti-Corruption Act.