Taitung former magistrate Wu Chun-li detained in corruption probe

Former Taitung County Magistrate Wu Chun-li was taken by investigators at Taitung Fengnian Airport on the morning of the 20th. This development follows allegations involving the family of Wu Hsiu-hua, the current Speaker of the Taitung County Council and a candidate for County Magistrate.

The investigation centers on a corruption scandal involving the widening of agricultural roads near the Dongying Resort, a development project in which the Wu family is reportedly invested. Allegations suggest that public funds were used to expand roads to benefit the resort, with officials from the County Agricultural Department suspected of facilitating these improvements for personal gain.

In addition to the questioning of Wu Chun-li, investigators conducted large-scale searches of his residence and Wu Hsiu-hua’s service office. Previously, Qiu Chia-ping, an assistant to Wu Chun-li and secretary at Wu Hsiu-hua’s office, was detained under the Corruption Prevention Act. Prosecutors are continuing to investigate potential collusion between government officials and private businesses.