TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwan High Court (台灣高等法院) revised Hsinchu Mayor Ann Kao's (高虹安) charges from fraud to falsifying official documents on Tuesday (Dec. 16), sentencing her to six months, which can be commuted to a fine. This decision follows allegations of misappropriating funds during her tenure as a legislator, sparking a significant legal debate.
Kao expressed gratitude for the court's judgment on the facts and announced her intention to resume her mayoral duties promptly. She stated that she respects and thanks the collegiate panel for their judgment on the facts, planning to respond to other legal aspects after receiving the verdict document. The court's request for a constitutional interpretation of Article 32, Section 1 of the Legislative Organization Act (立法院組織法), due to its perceived lack of clarity, has fueled legal discussions.
The Taipei District Prosecutors Office (台北地方檢察署) accused Kao and her assistant, Huang Hui-wen (黃惠玟), of allegedly embezzling over NT$460,000 from 2020 to 2022. Initially, the district court found her guilty of embezzling NT$116,514 and sentenced her to seven years and four months in prison. However, the high court acquitted her of corruption, finding her guilty only of document falsification, which carries a fine of NT$180,000 and allows for an appeal.
Huang criticized Kao for not offering a sincere apology to her assistants, while other aides, Wang Yu-wen (王郁文) and Chen Huan-yu (陳奐宇), received suspended sentences of three and two months, respectively. Former deputy office head Chen Yu-kai (陳昱愷) was still acquitted during this trial. The High Prosecutors Office argued for harsher penalties, citing unlawful intent in Kao's alleged diversion of funds for office expenses.