The TPP is the third-biggest party in Taiwanese politics and has been in talks with the larger Kuomintang (KMT) to join forces in November’s local elections, a midterm contest could lay the groundwork for cooperation to challenge the DPP in 2028.
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In addition to the jail sentence, Ko was banned from running for public office for six years, the court said.
Prosecutors had sought a combined jail term of 28½ years for various offences, including during the defendant’s time as mayor between 2014 and 2022.
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Ko was accused of taking NT$17.1 million (US$530,000) in bribes from Core Pacific Group chairman Sheen Ching-jing in return for granting an illegal increase in a project’s floor-area ratio.
He was also accused of involvement in the embezzlement of more than NT$68 million in political donations to the TPP and a company linked to the party, and the misuse of around NT$8.27 million in donations for a social welfare foundation for his presidential campaign.
