Hsinchu City Mayor Kao Hung-An (高虹安), charged with corruption and forgery among other offenses, was sentenced by the Taipei District Prosecutor's Office on Friday. She was under investigation for embezzling state funds amounting to over NT$460,000 (US$14,024) during her tenure as a legislator. Kao is to serve 7 years and 4 months in prison and is disqualified from holding public office for 4 years.  

Given the sentence, Hsinchu City’s Deputy Mayor Chiu Chen-Yuan (邱臣遠) will be taking over Kao’s duties in the interim. Both Kao and Chiu are members of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP). 

According to Taiwan law, if a county or city mayor is found guilty of crimes such as corruption and sentenced to imprisonment, they will be suspended from their duties. Should the sentence be overturned on an appeal, the mayor can be reinstated; however, if the conviction is upheld, the suspension remains. A final guilty verdict leads to the mayor’s removal from office. If the remaining term of office exceeds two years, a by-election must be conducted within three months. For terms shorter than two years, the Cabinet will appoint an acting mayor.