“Lai and other city government officials’ absences are a blight on the nation’s history of local governance,” the Control Yuan said in announcing its decision.
The complaint against Lai was filed with the Control Yuan—the body tasked with investigating and censuring improper behavior by civil servants and public officials—by Tainan City Council following the mayor’s refusal to take part in the current session since its commencement in January. He cites vote-buying allegations against TCC Speaker Lee Chuan-chiao as the reason for nonattendance.
Protests were twice lodged by the council to the Executive and Control yuans in January and April, respectively, for Lai’s unwillingness to perform his duties.
Lee, who is charged with vote-buying in the city council and speaker elections, was taken into custody in February. After indictment, he was released on NT$15 million (US$473,745) bail by Tainan District Court in early April.
In response to the impeachment, Lai reiterated his determination to oppose “black gold” politics, vowing not to appear at council meetings until proceedings against Lee are finalized. The case is now in limbo due to the speaker filing a motion to disqualify a presiding judge.
The mayor also questioned the validity of the Control Yuan vote, stating that resolving disputes between the city government and council falls under the jurisdiction of the Executive Yuan.
In the impeachment resolution, the Control Yuan said all civil servants are under its oversight. As the executive branch is accountable to the lawmaking body, the mayor is responsible to the city council, not the speaker. It should also be taken into account that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Lai’s case is before the Judicial Yuan’s Commission on the Disciplinary Sanction of Public Functionaries for review and final determination. The maximum penalty could see his removal from office.
Over the past 20 years, nine local government heads have been impeached by the Control Yuan, with the most severe punishment a six-month suspension to then Taichung City Mayor Lin Po-jung in 1995 over a restaurant fire killing 64 customers. (VS-JSM)
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