Taitung Rural Road Corruption Case Reaches County Speaker's Family; Key Aide Arrested

An investigation into alleged corruption surrounding Taitung's rural road development project has expanded to include the family of County Speaker Wu Xiu-hua. Chiu Chia-ping, identified as an assistant to Wu Xiu-hua and a crucial aide to Wu Chun-li, was brought in for questioning by the Taitung District Prosecutor's Office. Initially summoned as a witness in the "Dongying Resort" rural road development case, Chiu was subsequently reclassified as a defendant.

The case involves suspicions of favoritism and assisting in the widening of rural roads for the "Dongying Resort," an investment linked to Wu Xiu-hua's family. Several county officials have already been detained or granted bail in connection with the investigation. The probe has now directly reached the Wu family, with Chiu Chia-ping's arrest marking a significant escalation.

Prosecutors sought to confirm through Chiu's testimony whether coordination meetings had occurred and if any officials had been pressured. However, Chiu reportedly provided no clear answers and refused night-time interrogation. Citing concerns about potential evidence tampering, prosecutors arrested Chiu on the spot and have requested her detention from the Taitung District Court. The possibility of questioning Wu family siblings is now a focal point of public attention.

Wu Chun-li, when attending a dinner event, stated that Chiu Chia-ping is a staff member of Wu Xiu-hua's service office, referred to by some as "Secretary Chiu" and by others as "Assistant Chiu." In the Dongying rural road development case, Chiu allegedly played a vital role as a liaison between the Wu family and the county government. Some county government employees have admitted during interrogations to such interactions, while Agriculture Department Director Hsu Chia-hao and former section chief Tsai Ming-han have denied these claims, which have become key reasons for the prosecution's request for detention.

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Chiu Chia-ping is a staff member of Wu Xiu-hua's service office, someone called her 'Secretary Chiu,' and someone else called her 'Assistant Chiu.'