Print

Mail

wiki links

Chiayi County chief out on bail in ‘leaked tender’ case

Chiayi County Commissioner Chen Ming-wen, center, his wife Liao Su-hui and Chiayi County Council Speaker Yu Cheng-ta are pictured yesterday during a visit to a Chiayi temple after Chen was released on bail. PHOTO: TSAI TSUNG-HSUN, TAIPEI TIMES

Chiayi County Commissioner Chen Ming-wen (陳明文) of the Democratic Progressive Party was released on NT$3 million (US$93,000) bail last night amid suspicions of his leaking the tender estimate for a project to help a company save at least NT$60 million.

Lai Wen-cheng (賴文正), the contractor who won the bid, was released on NT$1.5 million bail.

Chen and Lai were brought in for questioning on Friday night for their alleged involvement in irregularities in connection with a sewage canal project in Minhsiung Township (民雄), Chiayi County.

Investigators said the estimate for a tender issued in May last year was NT$654 million, while the bid from Weimon Industry Co Ltd (偉盟工業公司), which was awarded the contract, was NT$653.8 million.

Investigators also summoned Chen, Lai and Li Hsiang-ku (李香�?at the time acting director of the Water Resources Department.

Chen is suspected of having contacted Lai days before the tender was issued and that the two met in a Taipei apartment owned by Chen. Lai then allegedly called his office and said the estimate was “654.”

　After the meeting, Lai allegedly called his office and said the estimate was "654" and gave instructions that the company's bid be adjusted. The conversation was recorded by supervising personnel.
This story has been viewed 1075 times.