TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The appeal of suspended Yilan County chief Lin Tzu-miao (林姿妙) was dismissed in an appeals court on Thursday.
Lin was indicted for corruption and money laundering. In December, the Yilan District Court sentenced her to 12 years and 6 months in prison for Anti-Corruption Act offenses, holding property with unidentified sources, and money laundering, per CNA.
The KMT politician served as mayor before becoming county chief in 2018. Lin was accused of helping a landowner secure tax exemptions in exchange for using his land as her election campaign headquarters.
Additionally, bank accounts linked to Lin showed NT$78.44 million (US$2.4 million) in unexplained funds.
As a result, Lin was suspended from her duties as county chief along with her salary, effective Dec. 31. In January, Lin filed a petition with the Taipei High Administrative Court to suspend the execution of the decision.
The appeals court determined that a government employee found guilty of possessing unexplained wealth can be suspended from their position. A suspension following a lower court's prison sentence is legally justified under the Anti-Corruption Act and the Local Government Act.
The court further noted that whether the omission of this offense from the Local Government Act constitutes a legislative oversight, and whether such oversight would automatically invalidate the original decision, remains unresolved.
The court stated that whether Lin's suspension without half-salary was a required or optional decision would be determined through evidence presented during a lawsuit.
The court stressed using appeals to delay her removal would harm the public interest. Such a move would undermine the purpose of the Local Government Act’s suspension system.
Based on the relevant provisions of administrative litigation law, the petition was denied, and the original ruling was upheld.
