Taiwanese Legislator Chen Hsueh-sheng Investigated for Fraud and Business Sponsorship

Taiwanese legislator Chen Hsueh-sheng is facing allegations of using relatives as strawmen to defraud public assistant fees and accepting private assistant salaries funded by businesses. Prosecutors launched a large-scale investigation, searching Chen's legislative office, residence, and related companies.

The investigation, led by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office, involved 35 locations across Taipei, Matsu, and Kinmen. Chen and 27 other individuals, including his younger brother Chen Hsueh-huai, were summoned for questioning. The probe is reportedly examining potential violations of the Anti-Corruption Act.

Chen's brother, Chen Hsueh-huai, was granted bail of NT$100,000. Other individuals involved, including legislative assistants and business representatives, also received bail ranging from NT$20,000 to NT$500,000. Chen's legislative assistants Lin Yang-chih and Lin Yang-yen were granted bail of NT$150,000 and NT$300,000 respectively.

This is not the first time Chen has faced scrutiny. He was previously investigated for allegedly using his legislative authority to pressure CPC Corporation to terminate a contract early with Chin Hsin Marine, allowing the company to be released from its obligations. The current investigation expands on these suspicions, looking into allegations that some of his assistants' salaries were paid by the implicated businesses.