Ex-Guam Diplomat Indicted for Embezzling Over $130,000

Chen Ying-lien, the former head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Guam, faces charges of corruption and embezzlement for allegedly defrauding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of over NT$4.25 million (approximately $130,000 USD) during his 15-year tenure. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office has indicted him on multiple counts, including using his official position to defraud, misappropriating public property, and forging official documents.

The indictment details how Chen allegedly claimed higher rental subsidies for his privately owned residence in Los Angeles from 2001 to 2016, over-claiming more than $104,000 USD (about NT$3.43 million). He also faces accusations of submitting private purchase receipts as official expenses for entertainment and hospitality, defrauding approximately $4,180 USD in public funds. Furthermore, he is accused of appropriating public property, including an iPhone, iPad Pro, vacuum cleaner, and coffee machine, valued at about $10,476 USD (around NT$320,000).

Investigators found that Chen maintained a detailed personal diary on his mobile phone, recording daily work and life events. These diary entries, combined with seized documents and payment requests, provided crucial corroborating evidence for the charges. The diary's meticulous nature helped investigators piece together the timeline and extent of the alleged fraud.

In addition to the alleged personal enrichment, Chen and two subordinates, Lu Chi-chang and Huang Chia-yu, are accused of falsifying property inventory checks for the Guam office in 2022 and 2023. They allegedly created false records indicating that inventories were completed and assets accounted for, misleading the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' management of public property. Lu Chi-chang has also been indicted for forging official documents, while Huang Chia-yu faces a summary judgment due to his lesser involvement.