James Tsai, also known as Tsai Jen-chien (Chinese: 蔡仁堅; born 27 October 1952) is a Taiwanese politician who served as mayor of Hsinchu from 1997 to 2001.
James Tsai Tsai Jen-chien | |
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蔡仁堅 | |
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Mayor of Hsinchu | |
In office 20 December 1997 – 20 December 2001 | |
Deputy | Yang Tzu-pao Lin Cheng-chieh |
Preceded by | Tong Shen-nan |
Succeeded by | Lin Junq-tzer |
Member of the National Assembly | |
In office 1992–1997 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Hsinchu, Taiwan | 27 October 1952
Political party | Independent |
Other political affiliations | Democratic Progressive Party (1986–2014) |
Occupation | Politician |
Political career
editA cofounder of the Democratic Progressive Party,[1] Tsai served on the National Assembly from 1992 to 1997, and was the DPP caucus leader throughout his term.[2][3] The legislative body elected its first speaker and deputy speaker during its 1996 session. Tsai was nominated as the DPP candidate for the deputy speakership, and lost to Shieh Lung-sheng.[4] Tsai was elected mayor of Hsinchu in the 1997 local elections. In October 2000, he became the first elected local government leader from Taiwan to visit China.[5] The next year, Tsai lost his bid for reelection.[6][7] He attempted to run for the position again in 2014, without the backing of the DPP, which expelled him for mounting an independent campaign.[8][9]
2014 Hsinchu City Mayoralty Election Result | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Candidate | Party | Votes | Percentage | ||
1 | Liu Cheng-hsing (劉正幸) | Independent | 1,914 | 0.96% | ||
2 | Hsu Ming-tsai | KMT | 75,564 | 37.85% | ||
3 | James Tsai | Independent | 40,480 | 20.28% | ||
4 | Lin Chih-chien | DPP | 76,578 | 38.36% | ||
5 | Wu Shu-min (吳淑敏) | Independent | 5101 | 2.56% |
Controversy
editDuring his mayoral term, Tsai was one of many mayors accused of corruption, as he had charged United Microelectronics Corporation a "township chief tax" for community development funds.[10][11]
Soon after leaving office, Tsai was caught in the Chu Mei-feng sex scandal, during which he was represented by attorney Hsu Wen-bin.[12] Tsai and Chu had dated for four years,[13] before the relationship ended in February 2001.[14] Later that year, a sex tape of Chu and married businessman Tseng Chung-ming was released.[15] Prosecutors believed that Tsai and spiritual advisor Kuo Yu-ling asked a detective agency about hidden cameras.[16][17] Tsai was questioned by the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office in January 2002,[18][19] and indicted on 7 February.[20] However, Chu chose to drop the case against Tsai in June.[21]
References
edit- ^ You, Kai-hsiang; Lee, James (28 September 2014). "DPP expels one of its founding members for running unendorsed". Central News Agency. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016. Alt URL
- ^ "Taiwan's opposition plans trip to China". United Press International. 26 June 1992. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ Yu, Susan (19 July 1996). "Assembly contest on vote level". Taiwan Info. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
- ^ Yu, Susan (12 July 1996). "National Assembly elects speaker as session opens". Taiwan Today. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ Ko, Shu-ling (11 February 2001). "Taipei's Ma Ying-jeou: the city statesman". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
- ^ "Political sex video scandal in Taiwan court". CNN. Reuters. 7 February 2002. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ "Phone call to police links politician to sex-VCD case". Taipei Times. 27 December 2001. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ Wang, Chris (17 July 2014). "DPP optimistic about Taichung election chances". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ Loa, lok-sin (29 September 2014). "DPP turns 28 with symbolic picnic events". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ "Legislator found not guilty of corruption". Taipei Times. 3 January 2001. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ Huang, Joyce (4 January 2001). "DPP wrangles over Hsinchu mayor". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ Chuang, Jimmy (20 August 2003). "Judicial Yuan writes `judge law'". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
- ^ Hsu, Crystal (30 December 2001). "Former Hsinchu mayor will reply". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ "Kuo says she was told to tape Chu". Taipei Times. 31 December 2001. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ Chuang, Jimmy (23 December 2001). "Taipei prosecutors focus on instructor in sex case". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ Chuang, Jimmy (26 December 2001). "Chu gives apology for having `erred'". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ Tsai, Ting-I (29 December 2001). "VCD probe finds tape, spy devices". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ Chuang, Jimmy (29 December 2001). "Police may interrogate ex-mayor". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ Chuang, Jimmy (3 January 2002). "Tsai gets summons in VCD case". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ Chuang, Jimmy (26 July 2002). "Six sentenced in sex-VCD scandal". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ Chuang, Jimmy (27 June 2002). "Chu Mei-feng drops case against former lover Tsai". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 May 2016.