Ruling DPP Lawmaker Out on Bail in Latest Political Corruption Probe
A Tainan lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party is out on bail on charges of embezzlement. It is just the latest in a string of political corruption cases under President Lai Ching-te and a sign of a widening crackdown across the political spectrum.
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00:00Released, but not off the hook, associates of lawmaker Lin Yijin of the ruling Democratic
00:06Progressive Party head home after hours of questioning over charges of embezzlement.
00:11Lin released on a bail of US$31,000, the head of her office held in custody.
00:18At Lin's office, box is taken away as prosecutors search for evidence, her office staff giving
00:24little away.
00:30It's the latest in a series of political corruption investigations and convictions since President
00:35Lai Ching-de took office in May.
00:38The most high profile was former Vice Premier and DPP heavyweight Zhang Wenshan, he's being
00:44held on suspicion of involvement in an illegal land deal.
00:48Then there was the conviction and sentencing of Hsinchu Mayor An Gao to over 7 years on
00:53embezzlement charges and of opposition Kuomintang lawmaker Ying Kuan-hung to over 8 years for
00:58corruption, both of them are free while they seek appeals.
01:03Since taking office, Lai has spoken publicly about the need to eliminate corruption from
01:07Taiwanese politics.
01:09Previously as Tainan Mayor, he made a name for himself with an 8 month long boycott of
01:14the City Council over vote buying allegations against the Speaker.
01:18Lai's zero tolerance stance on corruption was reinforced by a party spokesperson for
01:23his ruling DPP.
01:38And this latest case is unlikely to be the last, with prosecutors cracking down on potential
01:44corruption, no one can be sure who will be next.
01:48Chris Marr and Ed Moon for Taiwan Plus.