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Chang and 18 others sentenced

Independent Legislator Chang Li-shan talks to reporters outside the Supreme Court yesterday after her older brother Chang Jung-wei was given a 12-month jail sentence for involvement in a bribery scandal during the 1994 Yunlin County Council speakership elections. The lawmaker said she was astonished by the verdict and would seek legal advice about an appeal. PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES

The Supreme Court yesterday handed down the final verdict for former Yunlin County commissioner Chang Jung-wei (張榮味), sentencing him to 12 months in jail for his involvement in the 1994 Yunlin County Council speakership election bribery case.

"The defendant could not rebut the evidence prosecutors had collected and could not persuade the judges of his innocence in this case," said Chi Chun-chien (紀俊乾), senior judge and spokesman for the Supreme Court.

Chang, now an independent, used to be a pan-green supporter but decided to endorse the pan-blue camp during last year's presidential election.

Eighteen other defendants in the case were sentenced yesterday, including Chang's wife, Wang Yueh-hsia (王月霞).

According to the verdict Chang and then-councilor Chen Kuo-yi (陳國益) organized a free trip for 15 councilors and their family members in return of their support during the 1994 speakership election. Chen was seeking the vice speaker post.

On Feb. 8, 1994, a 34-member group left on a 16-day trip to Indonesia and Singapore. When the group returned to Taiwan, Chang and Chen invited them on a tour of local sightseeing attractions such as Sun-Moon Lake, which lasted until Feb. 28.

On March 1, Chang and Chen put the county councilors on a bus and sent them to the council offices for the election.

Prosecutors said Chang and Chen spent almost NT$2 million on the group's travel arrangements.

Chen was sentenced to a 10-month jail term. Tseng Ching-hua (曾慶華), a friend of Wang and Chang's, and Wang herself, were sentenced to eight months in jail with a three-year suspension on their sentences. The other 13 former councilors were all sentenced to seven months in jail.

"Today's verdict is the final court ruling. Chang will soon begin his sentence, but the period he was detained since last December can be deducted from his 12-month sentence," Chi said.

Wang and Tseng's jail terms will automatically be dropped if they do not break any laws during the three-year suspension period.

Chang remains under detention for his involvement in the Linnei Township incinerator construction scandal. He has been accused of accepting a huge bribe in connection with the project.

Last July Linnei Township Mayor Chen Ho-shan (陳河山) said that he had worked with Chang on the project and had accepted a total of NT$18 million from contractors wanting the project.

Chang was arrested on Dec. 10 last year after evading prosecutors who were trying to summon him for questioning about the incinerator scandal since last June.
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