Kuo Yao-chi Tea Can Bribery Case: Transport Minister Sentenced to 8 Years for Accepting USD Kickbacks

In January 2014, former Transport Minister Kuo Yao-chi was sentenced to 8 years in prison for accepting a bribe of US$20,000 (about NT$600,000) hidden in a tea can. Kuo was involved in the Taipei Station bidding process during her tenure. Although she later claimed the tea can only contained a "gift," the judicial authorities determined that there was a quid pro quo relationship between her official actions and the money exchange. This case is one of the representative cases of high-level DPP officials imprisoned for corruption. Despite multiple political rescue attempts by the green camp afterwards, the fact of bribery recognized under the judicial system cannot be erased.