KMT Legislator Chen Hsueh-sheng Questioned Over Allegations of Fraudulent Assistant Fees and Business Sponsorship

Legislator Chen Hsueh-sheng of Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) party is facing serious allegations of fraud and corruption. Prosecutors are investigating claims that Chen used relatives as strawmen to illegally claim public funds for legislative assistants. Additionally, he is accused of accepting financial support from businesses to cover the salaries of his private assistants, allegedly in exchange for lobbying on their behalf.

On August 24, investigators launched a coordinated search of Chen's legislative office, his residence, and locations associated with the Kin Hsin Shipping company, which is reportedly run by the family of former Kinmen County Magistrate Yang Chen-wu. The investigation, led by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office, involved 35 search locations across Taipei, Kinmen, and Matsu.

Chen, along with his brother Chen Hsueh-huai and 27 other individuals, were brought in for questioning. Chen arrived at the Taipei District Prosecutors Office in the early hours of August 25, wearing a dark blue mask and appearing fatigued, remaining silent as he entered for interrogation. The case is being investigated under the charges of violating the Anti-Corruption Act.

This is not the first time Chen has faced scrutiny. The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office previously investigated allegations that he used his position to pressure CPC Corporation into prematurely terminating a contract with Kin Hsin Shipping, thereby releasing the company from its contractual obligations. The current investigation broadens the scope to include the alleged fraudulent claims for assistant fees and the acceptance of business-paid salaries for his staff.