Tainan Branch Judge of the Taiwan High Prosecutors office, Hsu Hong-chi, has been let go from his judging duties for playing the game of mahjong. Hsu was let go because he chose to rule the former Tainan county Council speaker Chou Wu-liu innocent in a vote-buying lawsuit back in 2001. The problem was that Hsu and Chou played mahjong together.

It was alleged that Hsu took a bribe from Chou of NT$10 million to rule him innocent in the case. Hsu was found innocent in taking a bribe during the first and second hearing but on Friday he was relieved of his duties from judge because he had “indulged in the game of mahjong and played it with the defendant”.

Chou was found guilty in his first and second hearing but Hsu found him innocent in his final hearing. This is what made Hsu seem suspicious. Hsu had been suspended since 2006 and now has been let go from his post. Although he can no longer reign as judge, Hsu can still practice law.






- 2009-06-08