Taiwan township council chairman indicted for bribery

Xinpi Township Representative Council Chairman Wu Jinde has been indicted on charges of bribery for allegedly facilitating a NT$300,000 bribe. The funds were intended to secure a contract position for a couple's daughter within the township office.

Prosecutors allege that in January 2023, the couple approached Wu Jinde to help their daughter, who was a temporary employee, obtain a contract position. They reportedly gave Wu Jinde NT$300,000 in cash, packaged in three bundles within a gift box, to pass to the then-township mayor, Pan Hwey-yuan.

Mayor Pan Hwey-yuan received the bribe money but returned it the following day. Despite not accepting the bribe, he proceeded to promote the daughter to the contract position, citing her good performance. The Pingtung District Prosecutor's Office considers Wu Jinde and the couple as co-defendants in the bribery attempt, indicting them for seeking a bribe related to official duties. The NT$300,000 bribe money is subject to confiscation.