The head of Hualien County's council was found guilty of illegally occupying land in a soil and water conservation case, a setback for a sitting local politician who plans to appeal.

• Chang Chun, speaker of the Hualien County Council, drew a six-month sentence that can be converted to a fine.
• The land is a betel nut grove passed down from his grandfather and father, which he says he only helped harvest and contract out.
• He denies planting new trees, clearing hillside, leveling ground, or bringing in heavy machinery, and says no erosion or disaster occurred.
• The court found the original forest had been disturbed and mostly reduced to weeds, hurting its ability to hold water, but convicted him only of an attempt since no actual erosion was proven.

Outlook: Chang will appeal, sending the case to a higher court to weigh the evidence again.