Penghu: Former Penghu County Councilor Chen Hui-ling and her husband were found guilty Friday of fraudulently claiming government-funded subsidies for their aides, but all four defendants in the case received only suspended sentences.

According to Focus Taiwan, the Penghu District Court sentenced Chen to two years in prison, suspended for five years, and ordered her to complete 240 hours of community service. Her husband, Tsai Teng-tsai, received a sentence of one year and 10 months in prison, suspended for four years, along with 200 hours of community service.

The court did not provide an explanation for its decision, but the defendants' lawyer, Francis Kuei, expressed gratitude for the court's consideration of their motives, attitude after the crime was discovered, and family and life circumstances in granting a suspended sentence.

Prosecutors, in their indictment, stated that Chen and Tsai falsely reported relatives as publicly funded legislative assistants during Chen's tenure as a Penghu County councilor from 2014 to 2022. The couple allegedly used the names of relatives to secure subsidies and holiday bonuses from the county council, subsequently withdrawing the funds for personal expenses, including household spending, taxes, travel, and credit card payments.

The court found that the couple fraudulently obtained more than NT$6.45 million (US$200,000) over eight years, with the illicit gains ordered to be confiscated. Additionally, two relatives involved in the case were convicted and sentenced to one year and six months, and one year and two months in prison, respectively, both receiving suspended sentences of three years and two years.

The case was investigated by the Penghu District Prosecutors Office last year, with prosecutors charging the defendants under Taiwan's Anti-Corruption Act and related forgery offenses. Chen and Tsai were initially detained and held incommunicado before being released on bail pending trial.