Tainan official resigns following corruption probe

Taipei, June 27 (CNA) The chairperson of Tainan's Research, Development and Evaluation Commission (RDEC) resigned from his city government post on Friday following an investigation by prosecutors into alleged corruption.

The resignation of RDEC head Meng Chih-cheng (蒙志成) was quickly accepted by the city government after Meng and his wife were released on bail early Friday following overnight questioning by prosecutors.

They had been taken into custody by the Tainan District Prosecutors Office on Thursday evening after Meng's office and the couple's residence were searched on suspicion that they violated Taiwan's Anti-Corruption Act.

The couple allegedly misused government funds and vehicles allocated to Meng for official use.

Although prosecutors have deemed the couple to be flight risks and have forbidden them from leaving the country, they found it unnecessary to continue to hold the couple and released Meng on NT$500,000 (US$17,227) bail and his wife on NT$50,000 bail.

Speaking to local media regarding the allegations brought against the couple, Meng said he did not know anything and that the accusations came out of nowhere.

The city government, meanwhile, said it will support the investigation by prosecutors in accordance with the law.

Meng's responsibilities have been tentatively assumed by the deputy head of the city's RDEC.