Taipei: Prosecutors in Taipei sought to detain and hold incommunicado three individuals on Tuesday, including Cheng Yi-lin, a former deputy executive director of the Green Energy Industry Promotion Center (GEIPC), on suspicion of corruption. Several others were released on bail following questioning.
According to Focus Taiwan, Cheng is suspected of accepting bribes from two private companies during his tenure at the GEIPC, an institution established by the Ministry of Economic Affairs to support the government's green energy initiatives. The allegations suggest Cheng accepted bribes through bank accounts held under the names of relatives and friends from Tungwei Construction and HD Renewable Energy (HDRE), disguised as "consulting fees."
Prosecutors revealed that Cheng is also accused of pressuring state-owned Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) to grant favors. He is currently under investigation for illicit gains under the Anti-Corruption Act and money laundering. Tungwei is identified as a real estate developer, while HDRE offers green energy solutions, including solar energy site development and electric vehicle charging stations.
Acting on a tip-off, authorities searched 22 locations in Taiwan, including Cheng's residence and the offices of the implicated companies, and summoned several individuals for questioning. Documents from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Taipower were also requested.
Following the initial investigation, prosecutors moved to detain Cheng, Tungwei founder Chen Chien-sheng, and his son Chen Kuan-tao. HDRE's general manager, surnamed Chou, was released on NT$1 million (US$32,761) bail. Cheng's parents were released on NT$100,000 bail each, while a friend surnamed Hsu and a retired Taipower official surnamed Hsiao were released after questioning.
In a separate statement, Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo, on behalf of President Lai Ching-te, emphasized that the law would be enforced strictly if evidence justified a judicial investigation. Premier Cho Jung-tai reiterated before a Legislative hearing that the government will not tolerate any criminal activity, and those found guilty will face the full extent of the law.