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TAMPC manager accused of graft

Former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Tuan Yi-kang (段宜康) and DPP lawmaker Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) yesterday called a press conference accusing Hsieh Kuo-ku (謝國雇), general manager of Taipei Agriculture Products Marketing Co (TAMPC), of embezzling NT$20 million (US$610,000).

The accusations came after it was revealed that the Taipei City government-owned supermarket chain, which transports vegetables and fruit direct from their places of origin to be sold at low prices, is going to be merged with a private enterprise after losses.

The duo demanded that Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) take responsibility because, they alleged, Ma illegally installed Hsieh as general manager when he was Taipei mayor in exchange for Hsieh's support.

Hsieh was sentenced to nine months in prison, which could be commuted to fines, in September 2002 on an unrelated charge of intimidation, which disqualified him from holding the position, Tuan said.

Ma, however, exerted his influence on the company's board of directors to appoint Hsieh general manager of the company because 18 of the total 23 board seats were held by KMT members, Tuan said.

Tuan alleged that Hsieh pocketed the money during his tenure as general manager by significantly raising his special allowance fund and bonus at a time when the company was suffering losses.

Responding to the allegations, TAPMC and Taipei City Government said that there were no irregularities involved in Hsieh's appointment.

Chen Chung-nan (陳忠男), chief secretary of TAMPC, said the changes in the benefit system were approved by the company's board of directors and were not a result of Hsieh's own decision.
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