TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Prosecutors accused former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) Monday (Dec. 22) of misappropriating NT$6 million (around US$190,476) in cash donations during the sixth hearing of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨), a centrist political party, political donations case. The Taipei District Court (台北地院) summoned Ko, former office director Lee Wen-tsung (李文宗), and former PR firm head Lee Wen-chuan (李文娟) for questioning.
Prosecutors alleged the NT$6 million came from three donors: Lin Mun-lee (林曼麗), mother of Keelung City Mayor George Hsieh (謝國樑); Mandarin Oriental chairman Lin Ming-chun (林命群); and Chou Wang Mei-wen (周王美文), wife of Sinyi Realty founder Chou Chun-chi (周俊吉). Keelung City Deputy Mayor Chiu Pei-lin (邱佩琳) handled the donations. Prosecutors emphasized that political donations are not Ko's personal money.
Ko stated before the court session that he demands the judiciary apply the same standards when reviewing all candidates, past and future. He argued the funds were used for election purposes and did not enter his personal accounts, though he provided no evidence to support his claim. Ko challenged prosecutors' emphasis on fairness while defending his handling of the donations.
Prosecutors highlighted the public nature of political donations, asserting they cannot be used for business operations, luxury home purchases, stock investments, profit-making ventures, or personal debt repayment. They cited Ho Ming-teh (何明德) from Chiayi as an example, where transferring charitable funds to a personal account constituted misappropriation of public funds. Prosecutors questioned Ko's treatment of donations as personal funds, suggesting it amounted to misappropriation of public funds. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.5)