TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an (高虹安) said she will appeal a court ruling that sentenced her to prison for corruption Friday morning (July 26).
Hung released a video message just before 1 p.m. in which she said she would appeal the verdict handed down by Taipei District Court, per CNA. She also said she would immediately withdraw as a member of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP).
Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior issued a statement shortly after the ruling that said Hung would be suspended from duties as Hsinchu mayor with immediate effect. The ministry said Hung will be replaced by her former deputy Chiu Chen-yuan (邱臣遠), who is also a member of the TPP.
During the trial the court heard that Hung worked with assistants to fraudulently claim subsidies from public funds for personal use. Hung denied guilt during the trial, and claimed the charges were politically motivated.
She placed the blame on her former assistant Huang Hui-wen (黃惠玟), who admitted guilt. Prosecutors provided evidence that showed the assistant was instructed by Hung to carry out the fraud.
TPP Chair Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) and the party’s central committee had not made a comment on the ruling at press time.
