Taipei City Councilor Chen E-jun received a corruption conviction today, marking one of the most serious political sentencing cases this year. The Shilin District Court delivered the ruling after months of hearings focused on fraud, bribery, and abuse of public funds. Judges sentenced Chen to seven years and ten months in prison while also suspending her civil rights for five years. Moreover, the court ordered similar penalties for Chang Hui-lin, the chief of Chen’s office, who received nearly six years.
The corruption conviction stemmed from false subsidy claims and alleged payments from property developers seeking faster permit approvals. Prosecutors argued that Chen and Chang created fake assistant positions to siphon public money into private accounts. Accordingly, investigators said three relatives or friends appeared on payroll records despite performing no actual legislative duties. These false listings allowed the defendants to collect NT$3.84 million in improper public subsidies since late 2018.
Furthermore, prosecutors said the defendants accepted more than NT$700,000 in bribes between August 2023 and early 2024. Those payments allegedly came from two real estate developers seeking expedited approvals for construction and development projects. Therefore, investigators linked the payments directly to favorable treatment and internal government access. Court documents showed that Chen used her elected position to influence municipal agencies handling those applications.
During the trial, both Chen and Chang pleaded guilty and admitted that they misused assistant funds and accepted illicit payments. However, despite the admissions, the court imposed lengthy sentences to signal zero tolerance for political corruption. Legal analysts said the outcome reinforces Taiwan’s ongoing effort to strengthen public sector accountability and transparency. Moreover, prosecutors described the case as an example of how political power can distort fair regulatory processes.
The Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau led the inquiry and gathered financial records, payroll files, and communication logs. Agents detained Chen in December last year after uncovering detailed evidence of fraudulent reimbursement practices. Since then, prosecutors pushed for harsh penalties to deter similar misconduct by elected officials. As a result, the corruption conviction now stands as a warning to politicians across Taiwan’s local governments.
Chen remains eligible to appeal, and legal experts expect her defense team to challenge the sentence in higher courts. Nevertheless, appeals rarely overturn findings when defendants admit guilt and evidence shows sustained financial wrongdoing. Meanwhile, the Democratic Progressive Party has faced renewed pressure to tighten internal vetting and compliance rules. Party leaders said they respect the court decision and will review ethics standards for all officeholders.
In addition, urban development groups said the case highlights risks when political influence intersects with real estate approvals. They argued that transparent permit systems remain essential for maintaining investor confidence and public trust. Therefore, officials pledged to review approval procedures and reduce opportunities for bribery or favoritism. The corruption conviction thus carries implications beyond one councilor and reaches into Taiwan’s broader governance framework.
Going forward, prosecutors plan to pursue other investigations involving subsidy abuse and regulatory misconduct. Meanwhile, the court emphasized that public money must serve citizens rather than private interests. Through this ruling, judges aimed to reinforce the integrity of Taiwan’s democratic institutions. Consequently, the corruption conviction sends a powerful message that elected power does not place anyone above the law.
