Public prosecutors in southern Taiwan yesterday brought charges against several arts professors and lecturers over allegations they colluded to rig tender bids for public artworks used in outdoor displays at various government agencies and schools.
Prosecutors allege that evidence gained in their investigation points to professor Lin Yu-cheng (林右正), 55, and his wife, Chen Yen-ju (陳燕如), 47, as the principal proponents of the scheme.
Lin is the former head of the Department of Visual Arts at the then-National Pingtung University of Education (now National Pingtung University) and taught courses in conceptual art, Western art theory and creative art. His wife was an assistant professor in the same department.
The Pingtung District Prosecutors’ Office accused Lin’s group of rigging 21 publicly tendered projects — valued at NT$15.47 million (US$497,908) over a six-year period. Nine people were charged with crimes including forgery and fraud.
The accused also include I-Shou University of Kaohsiung commercial art design professor Lin Tsung-hung (林崇宏), 47; a Taipei National University of the Arts lecturer surnamed Chien (簡); a Dayeh University of Changhua County lecturer surnamed Chen (陳) and several other university employees.
Prosecutors said Lin set up several companies, using his students to file the registration, and entered bids for public art projects starting in 2006, mostly for schools and government agencies in southern Taiwan.
Lin ensured his companies secured the projects by acting as judge and jury — he packed selection boards and evaluation committees with people associated with his group, prosecutors said.
Using the recommendations of arts professors and lecturers in the group, the allegedly rigged process resulted in a number of artworks designed by Lin himself being installed using public funds.
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