TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Three people pled guilty to bribery charges in the first hearing of a trial involving former Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦) on Tuesday (Oct. 29).

Liao Li-ting (廖力廷), the son of property development company Chair Liao Chun-sung (廖俊松), told the Taoyuan District Court that he was guilty of paying Cheng a NT$5 million bribe on Sept. 14, 2017, per CNA. He said the money was paid hoping that the land his father’s company was developing would be rezoned.

Liao Chun-sung also pled guilty to paying a bribe and told the judge that he cooperated with the prosecutors’ investigation hoping to receive a lighter sentence. He denied accusations of involvement in an alleged NT$70 million corruption scheme involving Formosa Plastics Corporation.

Liao Li-ting’s wife surnamed Huang (黃) was also summoned to the court and said she was requested to get the money together on Sept. 14, 2017. However, she said she did not know the money had been withdrawn until her husband and father-in-law delivered it to Cheng's official residence.

Huang’s lawyer asked the court to grant her a suspended sentence because her involvement in the bribery was minor. The lawyer also expressed hopes that Huang would be spared a prison sentence.

Prosecutors charged Cheng with crimes listed under the Anti-Corruption Act in August, though he has denied any wrongdoing. He is accused of accepting money in exchange for providing benefits to property developers.

Prosecutors have charged 11 people in connection with the case. Hearings will continue on Thursday (Oct. 31).