A Taipei City Government official was disciplined yesterday for driving under the influence of alcohol and refusing a test of his blood-alcohol level.
Yuan Yung-lin (
He also received one minor demerit for hindering law enforcement and was transferred to a non-administrative position.
PHOTO: LIN CHENG-KUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
The disciplinary measure will be sent to the Ministry of Justice for final approval. Unlike other municipal officials, any disciplinary measure or position change in the anti-corruption department has to be approved by the Ministry of Justice.
Yuan could also face a fine of up to NT$60,000 or have his driver's license revoked for refusing to take the blood-alcohol test.
Wen Hsin-lin (溫新琳), director of the city's anti-corruption department, apologized to the public for the incident.
"The city is sorry that Yuan has set a very bad example by driving under the influence of alcohol and disrespecting the authority of law enforcement officers," Wen said at a press conference held at Taipei City Hall yesterday morning.
According to Tsai Yi-meng (
After Hua caught up with Yuan on Sungjen Road, Hua called the police and asked Yuan to accompany him to a repair station on Chuangching Road to have his car examined. After police arrived on the scene at around 7pm, they tried to have Yuan take a blood-alcohol test but said he resisted.
In the ensuing altercation, Yuan's left leg was fractured and he was sent to the Taipei Medical College Hospital for treatment. He remained at the hospital as of press time.
Police officer Tung Yu-wu (
Yuan finally consented to having his blood alcohol content tested at around 11:30pm when the director of the city's information department, Wu Yu-sheng (吳育昇), arrived at the hospital.
Yuan's blood alcohol content was registered at 0.25mg/l. The legal limit is 0.55mg/l.
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