Liao was elected the mayor of Shulin in 1993, serving in that position until 2002.[1] During his tenure, Liao and other township heads were investigated for corruption, as they had charged multiple businesses a "township chief tax" to raise money for local community development funds.[2] He ran in the legislative elections of 2001 and won a seat in the Legislative Yuan. Liao was the Taiwan Solidarity Union's caucus whip throughout most of his time in office.[3][4] His expulsion from the TSU, announced in October 2007 and confirmed in November,[5][6] for refusing to support the party's policies,[7] led four other party members to defect.[8] Shortly after Liao's expulsion the TSU ran ads in the United Daily News suggesting that Liao should join the Democratic Progressive Party.[9] Later that month, Liao and a couple other defectors launched reelection bids under the DPP banner.[10][11] A group of women's rights organizations opposed Liao's candidacy,[12] and his 2008 campaign was unsuccessful. Though he was reported to be leading the race six days before polls opened,[13] Liao lost to Huang Chih-hsiung by 5.49% of votes.[14] Liao stood for election again in 2012, but did not win.[15] He was elected to the New Taipei City Council in 2014.[16]
Controversy
In 2010, the Taipei District Court found Liao not guilty of taking bribes from the Taiwan Dental Association.[17] In September 2011, the Taiwan High Court heard an appeal of the case and sentenced him to seven years and three months imprisonment, as well as a suspension of civil rights for three years.[18] The High Court ruling was appealed to the Supreme Court, which cleared him of the charges in March 2016.[19]
Personal life
Liao Pen-yen's son Liao Yi-kun ran for a legislative seat in 2016, but was defeated in a Democratic Progressive Party primary by Su Chiao-hui.[20]
