Taipei: Taipei prosecutors have indicted independent Legislator Kao Chin Su-mei and 23 others on charges of corruption and fraud related to the embezzlement of public funds and the importation of unapproved COVID-19 test kits from China. Prosecutors from the Taipei District Prosecutors Office are recommending a prison sentence of more than 12 years and six months for Kao Chin, who has served in the Legislature since 2002.
According to Focus Taiwan, the indictment accuses Kao Chin, aged 60, of fraudulently obtaining over NT$7.87 million (US$249,377) in public funds through false claims involving legislative assistant salaries, overtime pay, bonuses, and childcare subsidies. Prosecutors allege that Kao Chin registered several individuals, including her siblings, as legislative assistants, despite them not performing any duties, collecting NT$7.71 million in payments. She also allegedly helped a staff member fraudulently obtain NT$158,040 in childcare subsidies from the Bureau of Labor Insurance.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, Kao Chin allegedly authorized her office director, Chang Chun-chieh, to exploit customs regulations to import 74,400 unapproved test kits from China. Prosecutors claim this was done using names collected by local councilors, bypassing medical device regulations. Kao Chin responded on Facebook, denying wrongdoing, stating that the imports were intended to aid Indigenous communities during a shortage of medical supplies. She vowed to continue her advocacy for indigenous rights.
Chang faces a recommended sentence of over 16 years. Prosecutors allege he used an Indigenous cultural association founded by Kao Chin to fraudulently obtain NT$9.33 million in subsidies through inflated invoices and false documentation. Chang allegedly instructed staff to withdraw over NT$4.36 million in proceeds to conceal fund flows. Several councilors and Kao Chin's relatives are among the defendants.
Prosecutors argue that Kao Chin's long tenure as a lawmaker and her misuse of public resources for personal gain undermine public trust and the integrity of public officials. They recommend a heavier sentence due to her attitude following the investigation. Authorities aim to confiscate NT$5.85 million linked to Kao Chin and NT$15.18 million to Chang, with NT$5.31 million to be jointly confiscated. Approximately NT$16.02 million in Chang's accounts has been frozen.
Chang, who has been held incommunicado for nearly four months, admitted to violations of the Company Act and Medical Devices Act but denied more serious allegations. He is scheduled for a court appearance where judges will decide on extending his detention.