Taiwan’s High Court has acquitted suspended Hsinchu mayor Ann Kao of a corruption charge. This significantly reduces her prison sentence and clears the way for potential reinstatement. The corruption charge reversal represents a major legal development in a high-profile case.
Previously, the Taipei District Court sentenced Kao to seven years and four months for allegedly inflating assistant salaries and overtime pay. This ruling led to her suspension as mayor. After appeals by both Kao and prosecutors, the High Court reduced her sentence to six months, commutable to a fine.
The court cleared Kao of the corruption charge but found her guilty of causing a public official to commit document forgery. Prosecutors with the High Prosecutors’ Office said they are reviewing the verdict and may consider an appeal.
The case stems from Kao’s tenure as a Taiwan People’s Party legislator between February 2020 and December 2022. Prosecutors claimed she obtained NT$116,514 by inflating assistant pay. Kao resigned from the TPP after her mayoral suspension.
During the trial, Kao argued she did not personally profit and that assistant fees are flexible subsidies, not fixed compensation. The High Court agreed, ruling her actions did not violate the Anti-Corruption Act. Judges said legislative assistant funds supplement resources for lawmakers’ duties.
However, the court found discrepancies in overtime payments. Records showed NT$80,000 reported to the Legislative Yuan, while assistants received only NT$70,000. The remaining NT$10,000 went to an office fund, constituting document forgery under Article 214 of the Criminal Code.
TPP leaders welcomed the ruling. Chairman Huang Kuo-chang called the acquittal “justice delayed,” while Secretary-General Chou Yu-shiu urged authorities to end judicial persecution against Kao.
The Ministry of the Interior confirmed Kao can apply for reinstatement. The Hsinchu City Government submitted an application, and Acting Mayor Chiu Chen-yuan said departments are preparing for the handover. He urged swift approval.
Both the Democratic Progressive Party and the Chinese Nationalist Party expressed respect for the ruling. The DPP highlighted judicial independence, while the KMT said the verdict corrected prior injustices.
Looking ahead, any appeal could affect reinstatement timing. Nevertheless, the corruption charge acquittal reshapes Kao’s political future and affects public office accountability in Taiwan.
