Control Yuan confiscates NT$55.8 million from former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je over campaign finance violations

The Control Yuan, Taiwan’s top government watchdog, announced on 19 March that it had confiscated NT$55.8 million (S$2.25 million) from former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je due to violations of campaign finance laws during his 2024 presidential bid as the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) candidate. In addition, the Anti-Corruption Committee imposed an administrative fine of NT$3.74 million on Ko under the Administrative Penalty Act. The ruling is separate from the criminal charges being pursued against Ko by the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office. His vice-presidential running mate, Cynthia Wu, was not penalised, while the accountant who signed off on Ko’s campaign finances, Tuanmu Cheng, will face separate disciplinary proceedings.

Violations in campaign finance

The Control Yuan’s investigation, initiated in August 2023, uncovered multiple violations related to Ko’s handling of campaign finances. According to the report, Ko failed to report NT$40.67 million in revenue from concert tickets and campaign souvenirs. His campaign also accepted donations exceeding the NT$100,000 annual limit and received contributions from a company run by a foreign national, both of which contravened Taiwan’s Political Donations Act. Additionally, the investigation found that Ko’s campaign transferred large sums of money to a public relations firm, with amounts far exceeding typical service fees for campaign activities. The transactions were not properly reported, adding to the case against him. The probe followed complaints from five individuals, including Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei City Councillor Lin Yen-fong, which triggered the Control Yuan’s review. However, investigators faced initial difficulties accessing related documents as they had been seized by the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau.

Political controversy and response

The Taiwan People's Party has strongly criticised the timing of the Control Yuan’s ruling, pointing out that it was announced just one day before Ko’s first court appearance on separate corruption charges. The TPP alleges that the government and prosecutors are coordinating a politically motivated attack against Ko. Vicky Chen, the party’s caucus office director, confirmed that the TPP will appeal the decision. The party also called for the same level of scrutiny to be applied to the past campaign finances of President William Lai and former president Tsai Ing-wen. The TPP argued that the profits in question were generated through campaign-themed merchandise and concerts, rather than political contributions, and should not be classified under campaign finance regulations.

Ongoing corruption case

Ko remains in detention as he faces a separate corruption probe related to his tenure as Taipei mayor from 2014 to 2022. Investigators suspect that the developer of the Core Pacific City complex paid bribes to influence the Taipei City Government’s decision on floor area ratio adjustments. The changes were approved under Ko’s administration, raising further legal scrutiny over his time in office.