Former Nantou Official Impeached for Defrauding Government with False Invoices

Hsu Li-chen, formerly a consumer protection official in Nantou County, has been impeached by the Control Yuan for allegedly defrauding the county government. The impeachment stems from accusations that she used false invoices to claim business expenses during her tenure.

The Control Yuan convened a review meeting where the impeachment motion, filed by Control Yuan members Wang Jung-chang and Su Li-chiung, was passed unanimously with a 12-0 vote. The impeachment document and review decision were announced on June 24, with the case now transferred to the Disciplinary Court for trial.

According to the impeachment document, Hsu Li-chen served as the Consumer Protection Officer (a position equivalent to the 11th rank of Jian任) and is currently a secretary in the Nantou County Government. From February 16, 2004, to July 6, 2023, while serving as Consumer Protection Officer, she allegedly knew that the county's business promotion expenses were to be reimbursed monthly based on allocated quotas. For her position, the quota was NT$5,400 per month. Reimbursement required actual official expenses and supporting original receipts.

However, Hsu Li-chen is accused of attempting to illegally obtain these funds by using false invoices to claim business expenses. This matter has already resulted in a prison sentence for her, as determined by the Taiwan High Court Taichung Branch. The Control Yuan emphasized that Hsu Li-chen's actions, including defrauding the government and falsifying official documents, constitute serious misconduct, violating articles of the Civil Service Code of Conduct and warranting disciplinary action under the Civil Service Disciplinary Act.

Her conduct is said to have severely damaged official integrity and undermined public trust in government officials and their commitment to honesty. The Control Yuan's decision to impeach and transfer the case to the Disciplinary Court underscores the gravity of the alleged offenses and the commitment to upholding ethical standards within public service.