Taipei prosecutors apply to confiscate NT$38 million from Ko Wen-je PR firm

台北地檢署申請扣押柯文哲公關公司新台幣3800萬元

Bribes suspected to have moved through company established for Ko's presidential bid


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei prosecutors on Thursday (Nov. 14) applied to seize NT$38.8 million (US$1.19 million) from a public relations firm founded to support Ko Wen-je's (柯文哲) presidential campaign.

The Taipei District Prosecutor’s Office said that it applied to the Taipei District Court for permission to seize funds in the bank accounts of Muko Public Relations Company (木可公關公司), per CNA. It said this was needed to preserve evidence related to a corruption investigation into donations made to Ko when he was a presidential candidate for the Taiwan People's Party (TPP).

In response the TPP said Ko never misappropriated political donations. The party said it could not respond to questions regarding Muko, though it disagreed with the prosecutors' decision to seize the funds based on suspicions that Ko used the company to commit fraud.

The TPP also accused prosecutors of using the judicial system to persecute opponents of the Lai Ching-te (賴清德) government. It said that prosecutors should charge Ko as soon as possible if there is evidence to support their suspicions.

Muko suspended operations in April after concerns were raised about its financial reporting when it was accepting donations and selling merchandise in support of Ko's presidential bid. Prosecutors began investigating the company on the same day it ceased operation.

They have questioned Ko, former TPP campaign finance chief Lee Wen-tsung (李文宗), Lee’s sister, accountant Tuan Mu-cheng (端木正), Tuan’s assistants, and others in connection with the case.

Ko was jailed on Sept. 9 after the Taipei District Court determined there was sufficient evidence to suspect he knew about corruption related to a project by developer Core Pacific City that occurred when he was Taipei's mayor. The detention order was extended by two months on Nov. 1 based on concerns he may collude with other suspects if released.