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Prosecutors indict DPP supporter on charge of bribery

The Hualien District Prosecutors' Office yesterday indicted Hung Hung-yeh (洪鴻業), a supporter of the DPP candidate in the Hualien County commissioner by-election, You Ying-lung (游盈隆), on the charge of bribery.

"He allegedly bought bicycles for another seven suspects in return for their votes for You. Hung never admitted to the bribery case but all other suspects' and witnesses' statements and evidence all proved him guilty. As a result, we decided to indict him," said Hualien prosecutor Hsueh Chih-you (薛智友).

The indictment did not recommend a sentence for Hung.

Charges against the seven suspects accused of accepting bicycles from Hung as bribes were dismissed due to the suspects' cooperation in the investigation, but Hsueh asked the suspects to complete 72 hours of community service within three months.

"They all admitted to accepting the bicycles as bribes right away when they were summoned. Their cooperation also helped us close this case within a short time. As a result, we decided to suspend our bribery charges against them and to order them to complete community service instead," Hsueh said.

According to the indictment, Hung spent NT$12,000 on the bicycles and invited the seven suspects to join You's campaign activities. Hung promised them they could take the bicycles home with them after the campaign events were over.

Hung has denied bribing the suspects and denied that he was buying votes for You.

"He said he simply affirmed You's campaign policies and wanted to show his support for You by inviting as many supporters to You's campaign activities as possible. But he was not a vote-captain for You," Hsueh said.

The DPP also denied any connection with Hung but said that officials will pay attention to cases like this since it concerns the party's supporters.

"We respect the judicial system as well as prosecutors' job to crack down on bribery cases," said DPP Deputy Secretary-General Lee Chin-yung (李進勇).

Lee said during a press conference at DPP headquarters yesterday that Hung does not belong to any DPP office and that he was not a vote captain for You.

The party said it will consider Hung innocent until a court finds him guilty, but added that since the Hualien District Prosecutors' Office has indicted him, DPP officials will monitor developments in the case as Hung is a party supporter.
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