Nantou chief detained on graft charges

Since mid-October, two of Peng's special assistants have been detained.

Peng, a political independent, was once a close partner of President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) when both of them were DPP legislators.

Peng, however, withdrew from the DPP in 1997 after failing to secure the party's nomination for county commissioner. He won the election as an independent.

Peng's performance in governing the county has been controversial. Struggles between him and local politicians from different parties have been intense and he is relatively isolated.