New taipei: The New Taipei District Court on Thursday handed down a prison sentence of four years and six months, and the deprivation of civil rights for three years, to a former Workforce Development Agency (WDA) branch head Hsieh Yi-jung for corruption.

According to Focus Taiwan, Hsieh, who directed the WDA's northern branch, was found guilty of disclosing confidential information, corruption, and passing undue benefits to a company in two procurement cases. Additionally, she was found guilty of embezzling gift boxes worth NT$20,000 (US$665) purchased with the Ministry of Labor's Employment Stabilization Fund.

Three staffers at the WDA office received prison sentences ranging from one year and four months to one year and eight months. They were also fined between NT$50,000 and NT$100,000 for their roles in disclosing confidential information and providing undue benefits.

Two brothers who operated the company that received the benefits were fined NT$300,000 and given respective prison sentences of two years and one year and four months for violating Taiwan's Government Procurement Act. Additionally, a company head who lent out their bidder qualification was found guilty of violating the Government Procurement Act and received a prison sentence of five months, convertible to a fine.

The court's ruling can be appealed. It was noted that, rather than ensuring a transparent and fair procurement process, Hsieh instructed her subordinates to maintain close contact with the company and altered procurement requirements to favor it.

The court also remarked that Hsieh, who was indicted by the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office in April, confessed during the investigation, returned her illegal gains, and showed remorse for her actions.

Investigations into Hsieh were initiated following accusations of negligent homicide after a 39-year-old subordinate committed suicide allegedly due to her workplace bullying late last year. Although Hsieh was removed from office due to the incident, prosecutors did not press charges, citing "no legal causation" between the suicide and her management style.

Her alleged bullying led to a broader discussion in Taiwan on workplace bullying, resulting in the resignation of former Labor Minister Ho Pei-shan and prompting an anti-bullying statement from President Lai Ching-te.