TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwanese authorities detained a former green energy official Tuesday (Aug. 26) on corruption charges. The arrest marks the latest crackdown on renewable energy sector misconduct. Prosecutors allege Cheng I-lin (鄭亦麟), former deputy executive director of the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Green Energy Industry Promotion Center (綠能科技產業推動中心), accepted bribes from construction and renewable energy companies.
Prosecutors received a tip-off about Cheng's alleged misconduct, accusing him of using accounts under relatives' and friends' names to accept bribes disguised as consulting fees. Authorities claim Cheng leveraged his position to pressure Taiwan Power Company (台電), Taiwan's state-owned utility, violating the Anti-Corruption Act (貪污治罪條例). The Taipei District Prosecutors Office (台北地檢署) led a coordinated operation Monday (Aug. 25) with the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (法務部調查局) in Tainan, executing 22 searches at residences and offices of Cheng and eight other defendants.
Prosecutors also requested detention of Chen Chien-cheng (陳健盛), founder of Tungwei Construction (東煒建設), and his son Chen Kuan-tao (陳冠滔), citing substantial criminal suspicion. Authorities released HD Renewable Energy's (泓德能源) general manager, identified only by surname Chou (周), on NT$1 million bail (around US$32,800) with travel restrictions. The company issued a statement Monday night pledging full cooperation with the investigation and assuring stakeholders that operations and finances remain unaffected by the probe.
Cheng's accountant, identified by surname Cheng (鄭), was released on NT$800,000 bail (around US$26,200) with similar travel restrictions. Cheng I-lin's parents secured release by posting NT$100,000 bail (around US$3,300) each. A male friend surnamed Hsu (徐) and a retired deputy general manager from Taiwan Power Company (台電) surnamed Hsiao (蕭) were released without bail. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$30.503)
>> Legal proceedings discussed in this article remain ongoing. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
