TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Hon Hai (鴻海) announced on Monday (Jan. 20) that it will handle the legal proceedings concerning former Vice President Tai Jeng-wu's (戴正吳), once a key aide to Hon Hai founder Terry Gou (郭台銘), claim for over NT$1 billion (US$30,509,700) in bonuses in accordance with the law.
Tai's lawsuit against Hon Hai and Gou stems from an agreement that promised bonuses in Hon Hai stock if Tai successfully led Sharp (夏普) back to profitability and its return to the Tokyo Stock Exchange's first section. Tai achieved these goals in just 15 months, yet alleges Gou has not fulfilled the financial commitment, according to Mirror Media (鏡周刊).
Tai filed a civil lawsuit last month seeking the bonuses he claims were promised in a 2016 incentive contract. The lawsuit officially commenced late last December after Tai paid the necessary filing fees. The New Taipei District Court (新北地院) has initiated a mandatory mediation process involving lawyers from all parties. If mediation fails, the case will proceed to litigation. Tai, who served Hon Hai for 30 years, reportedly seeks to clear his name through this legal action.
In 2016, Gou invested 388.8 billion yen (NT$81.6 billion) to acquire a 66% stake in Sharp, appointing Tai as chairman. Despite Sharp's initial success, financial struggles resurfaced in 2022, leading to Tai's resignation. Hon Hai Chairman Young Liu (劉揚偉) later intervened, selling the Sakai plant to SoftBank and KDDI, and transforming it into an AI data center.
