Reports yesterday said investigators are looking into a possible bid-rigging scandal involving renovation work on Taipei's Sungshan Airport.
The reports said an airport official has been placed under suspicion for allegedly favoring certain companies during the process of bidding for the project.
Prosecutors yesterday interrogated the official, and several other people could be implicated in the case.
The operation of the scam, according to the prosecutors, worked in such a way that certain companies made under-the-table agreements with the airport official before the bidding, and only the previously agreed on companies joined the bid.
In the end, the prosecutors said, the conspiring companies ended up winning the bids.
A Chinese-language daily reported yesterday that the scandal-related construction work could affect aviation safety. Prosecutors, however, have denied that allegation.
Chang Wen-cheng (張文政), a spokesperson from the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office, said the renovation work involved was not directly relevant to aviation operations at Sungshan, and the total amount of funds involved was about NT$30 million.
Chang stressed that no new buildings were being investigated. "The entire work is only renovation-related," Chang said.
A team from the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau that specializes in the investigation of major public construction projects has reportedly been issued search warrants for eight sites.
They have also questioned the suspected airport official, known only by his surname, Peng (
Peng is believed to be a mid-level maintenance staffer, and at least four businesspeople are suspected of being involved. As of press time, the suspects were still being questioned by prosecutors.
Prosecutors said they are now investigating whether or not the official actually received any kickbacks from the companies involved.
Asked if there are other public servants involved, the prosecutor said that up until now there was no firm evidence of this.
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