Yunlin officials found guilty of corruption in green energy cases

Taipei, Aug. 26 (CNA) Several elected officials in Yunlin County have been found guilty of corruption and sentenced to jail terms by the Yunlin District Court in two separate cases linked to an onshore wind power development project.

They include former Mailiao Township chief Tsai Chang-kun (蔡長昆), former county council speaker Shen Tsung-lung (沈宗隆), who has resigned as speaker but remains a councilor, and current councilor Wang You-min (王又民).

In one case, Tsai was sentenced on Aug. 14 to five years and six months in jail and deprived of his civil rights for four years for obtaining illicit gains through the use of undue influence.

Co-defendant Chen Ying-nan (陳英南) was sentenced to six months, suspended for two years and convertible to a fine, for attempted extortion, according to the court ruling.

The ruling said that while serving as township chief, Tsai ordered the suspension of an onshore wind power project by wpd Taiwan Energy Co. and initiated a protest in the name of defending residents' rights and seeking compensation that in fact was for his own financial gain.

Given that a suspension of operations would result in heavy losses, wpd Taiwan sought then-council speaker Shen's help to arrange a meeting with Tsai.

The company made an "agreement" to pay Tsai a total of NT$3.2 million (US$104,798) for eight wind turbines in the township. Tsai also asked for "custom-made pipeline engineering fees," as well as contracting part of the construction to Chen, the court found.

Chen never did undertake the contract, however, because he was unable to meet its conditions.

Both Tsai and Chen confessed to their actions during the investigation and trial, the court said.

In the other case, Shen was sentenced to three years and six months and deprived of his civil rights for eight years, while Wang was sentenced to nine years and six months and deprived of his civil rights for eight years, both for taking bribes, according to a news release by the court on Monday.

In the same case, former wpd Taiwan Chairwoman Wang Yun-yi (王雲怡) was sentenced to two years in prison and deprived of her civil rights for two years for bribery.

Wpd employee Pan Cheng-kang (潘正綱) received a six-month sentence, suspended for two years and convertible to a fine, for bribery and falsifying accounting records, while contractor Chung Ching-lang (鍾慶郎) was found guilty of accepting bribes but was not sanctioned by the court.

The illicit gains obtained by Shen, Pan and Chung have been confiscated, the court said.

According to the court, Wpd bribed Shen and Wang You-min through subcontractors and other intermediaries, incorporating the bribes into construction fees.

In return, the councilors were expected to monitor the Yunlin County government, eliminate local resistance, and stay informed on the progress of relevant documents and applications.

The court also found that wpd bribed Shen by allowing him to supply construction materials through contractor Chung's company. Both Shen and Chung profited from the arrangement.

While Shen, Pan and Chung admitted their guilt during the investigation into the case, both Wang You-min and Wang Yun-yi denied any wrongdoing, the court noted.

Both cases can be appealed.

Tsai said his lawyer will decide whether to appeal the court ruling.

Shen said he believed the ruling was reasonable, and he would discuss with his lawyer whether to appeal while taking into account his upcoming surgery.

Wang You-min told the press via a telephone interview that he respected the ruling but found it regrettable, and will appeal after receiving the court documents.