Crime

Independent Lawmaker and Aides Charged With Colluding With Beijing

Published
Updated

By TaiwanPlus

Open in App

Independent Taiwanese lawmaker Kao Chin Su-mei has been indicted on national security and corruption charges, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors say Kao Chin and three aides accepted funding from China to establish a spy network in Taiwan. They also say she used her office to promote positions aligned with directives from the Chinese Communist Party. In addition to the national security charges, Kao Chin is also accused of misappropriating funds intended for legislative assistants and embezzling money to import China-made COVID-19 test kits that had not been approved during the pandemic.

Lawmaker Charged With Spying for China

==
REPORTER:  
Independent lawmaker Kao Chin Su-mei has been charged with breaking national security laws and corruption.

Prosecutors say Kao Chin, along with three aides, took money from China to set up a spy network in Taiwan. They also allege that she used her office to voice positions in line with Chinese Communist Party directives. Kao Chin is also accused of misappropriating money for assistants and embezzling funds to import unapproved China-made COVID-19 test kits during the pandemic. Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of 14 years.

Taipei prosecutors said Thursday they have expanded a probe into a legislative aide's suspected escape by boat after he jumped bail in September following his indictment on corruption charges, seizing a second fishing vessel in connection with the case.

In a brief statement, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office said the fishing boat Man Jui Fu 6 was seized at Zhengbin Fishing Port in Keelung on Wednesday, during which five crew members -- a Chinese national surnamed Chen and four Indonesian nationals -- were questioned.

Prosecutors said the five crew members, along with the boat's owner, surnamed Lee, and captain, surnamed Huang, were scheduled to undergo further questioning over their suspected involvement in the case involving Chang Chun-chieh, a former legislative office director for independent lawmaker Kao Chin Su-mei.

Chang was allegedly seen first boarding a fishing boat called Chien Chun 168 at Zhengbin Fishing Port in Keelung on the night of Oct. 28 before being picked up at sea by the Man Jui Fu 6, they said.

Chang was among 24 people indicted by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office in June on charges of conspiring with Kao Chin to misappropriate public assistant fees, in violation of the Anti-Corruption Act.

He had been on the run for nearly two months after breaking his electronic monitoring wristband at Daan Forest Park in Taipei on Sept. 6 while out on NT$10 million (US$304,634) bail, prompting the Taipei District Court to issue a warrant for his arrest.

According to the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office, the former aide to Kao Chin is also under investigation in a separate case over allegations that he received funds from China to establish spy networks in Taiwan, in violation of the National Security Act.
[==SOT]##

---

Title: Lawmaker Charged with Collusion with Beijing

==
REPORTER:  
Independent lawmaker Kao Chin Su-mei could face up to 14 years in prison, as the high prosecutor’s office files charges of violating the National Security Act as well as corruption and bribery.

Prosecutors accuse her of taking money from China to set up a spy network in Taiwan. The high prosecutor’s office says she used her official position to collude with China, acting on Beijing’s directions. She’s also accused of misappropriating funds for legislative assistants and embezzling funds to import unapproved China-made COVID test kits during the COVID pandemic.
[==SOT]##