The spending figures officially reported by Mayor Hsieh's campaign headquarters did not exceed the legal limit, but the spending report noted that Hsieh's reelection committee spent NT $ 70-80 million. The Kaohsiung City Election Commission, following established precedent, was only able to levy a paltry fine of NT $ 100,000.
高雄市長謝長廷曾依法申報競選經費，其中競選總部花費未超過法定限額，但在申報書備註欄指出競選後援會的花費約七、八千萬元，高市選委會只能循往例罰款十萬元薄懲。