TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — More legal trouble may await former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) as former Deputy Mayor Pong Cheng-sheng (彭振聲) was summoned for questioning by Taipei District Prosecutors on Monday (Aug. 12).

Prosecutors believe Pong abused his position and violated the Anti-Corruption Act to benefit businesses in two cases: Core Pacific City and the Beitou Shilin Technology Park. Prosecutors not only sought more information about Pong’s involvement in both cases but also Ko's possible connection to them.

Regarding the Core Pacific City renovation case, Ko’s administration approved an increase in the floor area ratio from 320% to 840%, resulting in a major potential windfall for the company, per CNA.

Pong during his time as deputy mayor served as the chair of the Taipei Urban Planning Commission, the group that approved the floor area increase for Core Pacific City. He was asked by prosecutors to explain the reasoning behind such a dramatic increase in approved floor area.

The other corruption charges Pong faces are related to the Beitou Shilin Science and Technology Park T17 and T18 land rights tender cases. Complaints from the public have led to an investigation of rental rates and the falsification of meeting minutes. 

Some allege the public tender project was rigged to benefit Shin Kong Life Insurance, a company associated with Ko’s running mate, Cynthia Wu (吳欣盈), in the presidential election. 

Pong was questioned for three hours. Prosecutors believe he is guilty of profiting from the cases and violated the Anti-Corruption Act though a final sentence has yet to be handed down. 

Prosecutors did not consider Pong a flight risk, as he had been ordered to remain at his residence and prevented from leaving the country.