Former Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦) was ordered to be detained incommunicado by the Taoyuan District Court this Thursday, and has been taken into custody. Cheng is being investigated for alleged corruption during his tenure as Taoyuan mayor from 2014 to 2022.
Prosecutors are accusing Cheng of accepting bribes, leaking information, and laundering money, among several other crimes.
Cheng has been detained, released on bail, and re-detained several times since the Taoyuan District Court’s original ruling. Bail ordered to be posted by Cheng had amounted to NT$12 million by Tuesday, but the decision was overturned the following day.
At the third hearing on Thursday, the court judge gave an incommunicado order for Cheng, meaning he will be detained and not allowed outside communication. Cheng has strong political and business connections, and concerns were raised about potential collusion with his secretary before last Friday’s hearing. The judge says the order is necessary for the prosecution team to carry out their investigation properly.
Cheng resigned from his position as Straits Exchange Foundation chair on Sunday amid the allegations. The DPP, of which Cheng is a member, has suspended Cheng for three years and stated they will consider expulsion from the party if Cheng is to be found guilty.
