Taipei prosecutors are investigating suspected bribes connected to Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海精密) founder Terry Gou’s (郭台銘) presidential campaign, as the billionaire gathers signatures to run in next year’s election.
Thirteen people have been questioned over suspected cash payments offered in exchange for signatures in support of Gou’s presidential bid, the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office said yesterday.
Gou’s campaign has distanced itself from the suspects, repeating its earlier condemnation of illegal behavior.
Photo: Chang Chia-ming, Taipei Times
The bribery investigation is the latest blow to Gou’s campaign. Chinese authorities last month announced a probe of the tech giant he founded.
Meanwhile, Gou and his running mate, Tammy Lai (賴佩霞), yesterday submitted petition signatures they collected to the Taipei City Election Commission.
“Today is a very important day. I am here to convey the aspirations of the Taiwanese people in pursuing democracy and freedom,” said Gou, who did not reveal the number of signatures filed.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
Gou is required by law to collect 289,667 signatures, equivalent to 5 percent of eligible voters in the 2020 presidential election by today.
In related news, Vice President William Lai (賴清德), the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential candidate, has said that Representative to the US Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) is “at the top” of the list of candidates he is considering as a running mate.
He made the remarks in a trailer aired on Tuesday for a TV interview with host Paul Lee (李四端).
In the interview clip, William Lai said he has a list of six possible vice presidential picks, of whom Hsiao and former minister of culture Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) have generated the most discussion.
Pressed by Lee on whether Hsiao is “at the top” of his list of potential running mates, Lai said: “Yeah, you could say that.”
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