Embezzled Millions to Pay Off Personal Debts! Former Tainan Council Speaker Kuo Hsin-liang Indicted for Misappropriating Political Donations and Public Funds, Prosecutors Seek Heavy Sentence

Prosecutors and investigators have concluded their probe into Kuo Hsin-liang, former speaker of the Tainan City Council, over allegations of embezzling political donation funds. The investigation revealed that Kuo allegedly misappropriated a total of NT$10.72 million from political donation accounts and the public welfare funds of the Tainan Shinliang Cultural and Educational Association. On May 5, prosecutors formally indicted Kuo on charges of violating the Criminal Code’s provisions on embezzlement of public funds. Given Kuo’s long-standing role as an elected representative and his betrayal of public trust, prosecutors are urging the court to impose a heavy sentence.

According to prosecutors, Kuo registered as a candidate for the 3rd and 4th Tainan City Council elections in 2018 and 2022, respectively, and established dedicated political donation accounts for each campaign. Additionally, in 2010, he set up a dedicated account for the 'Tainan Shinliang Cultural and Educational Association.' Funds in these accounts are legally required to be used solely for authorized campaign expenditures or public welfare purposes. However, between 2018 and 2022, Kuo, together with Huang, the deputy director of his service office, allegedly withdrew funds from these accounts on multiple occasions—specifically in 2018, 2021, and 2022—and used the money to repay Kuo’s personal debts, amounting to a total of NT$10.72 million.

Prosecutors emphasized that Kuo, as a long-serving public official entrusted by the people, flagrantly disregarded laws such as the Political Donation Act. Given the substantial amount misappropriated and Kuo’s continued denial of wrongdoing after the fact, prosecutors are requesting a severe punishment to serve as a deterrent and uphold the rule of law.