High Court overturns former Tainan council speaker's corruption verdict

Taipei, Oct. 22 (CNA) The Taiwan High Court Tainan Branch Court on Wednesday overturned a corruption conviction handed to independent former Tainan City Council speaker Kuo Hsin-liang (郭信良) by the Tainan District Court.

Guilty charges of corruption for co-defendants Kao Chin-chien (高進見), a local ward chief, and the head of an engineering firm surnamed Liao (廖) were also overturned.

However, Kao's six month prison sentence for incitement to commit perjury was upheld.

The High Court cited insufficient evidence for the guilty ruling, noting that Liao gave nine different and contradictory statements to authorities during the investigation and trial, and no cash flow data was found to indicate a bribe was paid to Kuo.

In response, Kuo, who has maintained his innocence, thanked the judicial system for "clearing his name."

The Taiwan High Prosecutors Office Tainan Branch said it will decide whether to appeal the case after reviewing the verdict.

Kuo was indicted by Tainan prosecutors in July 2023 for allegedly extorting and receiving NT$13 million (US$422,997) in bribes from the engineering consultancy headed by Liao in a land zoning project.

In November 2024, the district court found the three men guilty, sentencing Kuo to 13 years in prison and depriving him of civil rights for eight years.

Kao, who was alleged to have shared the bribe, received a sentence of nine years and was stripped of civil rights for four years. He was also found guilty of incitement to commit perjury and given a six-month sentence.

Liao was found guilty but exempt from punishment, though his mobile phone was confiscated.

On Sept. 26, 2025, the Ciaotou District Prosecutors Office indicted Kuo for corruption in a separate solar power development case that is ongoing.

Kuo was a member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and served as deputy speaker in Tainan Council from 2010-2018. He left the party in 2018 and was elected speaker the same year as an independent, serving one term in office until 2022.