TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taipei District Court on Wednesday issued a warrant for former DPP Chair Wu Nai-jen (吳乃仁) after he failed to repay damages owed to Taiwan Sugar.
Wu was convicted of breach of trust in connection with a 2004 land transaction after his tenure as Taiwan Sugar chair. Prosecutors noted that the land in the Wufeng Industrial Park was sold at below market value to Chunlong Development Corp, at the request of then-DPP lawmaker Hong Chi-chang (洪奇昌), per Knews. While Hong was acquitted, Wu was convicted and served about eight months in prison.
Legal observers noted that debtors who refuse to satisfy court judgments may be detained under certain circumstances, and the issuance of a warrant is a prerequisite for such proceedings, per UDN. According to reports, the court instructed officials to extend certain courtesies to Wu because of his public profile when bringing him before the court.
Court personnel reportedly visited Wu's residence to bring him to court but were unable to locate him, per UP Media.
The Taichung District Court said the warrant was issued at the request of Taiwan Sugar, which had petitioned the court to detain Wu, per UDN. The court said the judge overseeing the case would determine the next steps based on subsequent developments.
DPP Spokesperson Wu Cheng (吳崢) said the party respects and has confidence in Taiwan's judicial system, per Newtalk.
Taiwan Sugar said four debtors are involved in the case and that the NT$170 million (US$5.4 million) figure does not include accrued interest, per UDN. The company said it has recovered approximately NT$50 million so far, but continues to face pressure from lawmakers over its inability to recover the full amount.
TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) previously alleged that Wu attended expensive dinners with prosecutors despite failing to repay damages owed to Taiwan Sugar, per Storm Media. Prosecutor Hsu Ming-chu (徐名駒) was later disciplined in connection with the incident, per Liberty Times.
