Taitung Officials Seek Detention in Resort Road Scandal

Taitung County's agricultural department director, Hsu Chia-hao, is among two officials facing requests for detention as prosecutors investigate alleged corruption. The investigation centers on claims that public resources were used to illegally widen a narrow farm road, ostensibly to benefit a resort development linked to the family of the county speaker.

The case took a significant turn when prosecutors requested detention for Hsu Chia-hao and a section chief, identified only by his surname Tsai. They are suspected of violating anti-graft laws by using their official positions to confer benefits. Prosecutors cited concerns about collusion and the destruction of evidence as grounds for the detention requests, deeming it necessary.

This investigation stems from an earlier accusation by independent Taitung County Councilor Lin Shen-tien. He alleged that the county government had expanded a 3-meter-wide farm road in the Jianhe mountain area to 15 meters. Lin questioned whether this expansion served local farmers or was instead a tailor-made access road for a resort involving the speaker's family, potentially encroaching on state-owned land.

Following the accusations, investigators conducted searches of the residences and offices of five defendants, including Hsu Chia-hao. After extensive questioning, the prosecution sought detention for Hsu and Tsai. Meanwhile, Deputy Director Huang Chi-ming was granted bail of NT$150,000, and two other defendants, surnamed Wang and Chang, were each granted bail of NT$50,000. Prosecutors emphasized their commitment to a thorough investigation, aiming to uncover any higher-level involvement.