Taipei prosecutors yesterday questioned a key suspect in their investigation into the downfall of the Alexander Group (
Taipei District Prosecutors Office spokesman Lin Ching-tsun (林錦村) yesterday said the suspect, Tseng Hsiao-tsun (曾曉村), was questioned by prosecutors yesterday afternoon. Prosecutors suspect he is a member of a group under investigation for defrauding companies suffering financial difficulties.
Lin said a woman named Chen Ai-hui (陳愛惠) was a university classmate of Tang Hsin-ru (唐心如), the younger sister of Alexander chairwoman Candy Tang (唐雅君). Chen introduced Lee Yung-hua (李永華), a suspected member of the alleged defrauding group, to the Tangs to finance the Alexander Group. Lee is suspected of then embezzling funds from Alexander Group.
Lee was released on NT$1 million (US$31,000) bail on Monday.
Lin said the group is under suspicion of funding companies in financial difficulties but then actually defrauding or plundering those companies.
Lin also said that Tseng has been accused in a separate case of embezzling funds from a company called San Chou Heng (三州行). That case is also under investigation
In the face of financial difficulties, the parent company of the nation's leading fitness centers, Alexander Health Clubs (亞力山大健康休閒俱樂部), last week shut down all 20 of its branches without prior notice to its 20,000 members or the company's 2,000 employees.
Candy Tang and Tang Hsin-ru, were released on NT$2 million bail each after they were detained on suspicion of defrauding health club customers. Tseng was also released last night on NT$2 million bail.
Prosecutors are investigating whether Candy Tang's actions constitute fraud under criminal law, Lin said.
Lin said that Candy Tang told prosecutors that Lee Yung-hua had agreed to finance her health club, but actually defrauded her of nearly NT$100 million, which led prosecutors to open their investigation into the group.
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