Chu to sue ex-boyfriend for invasion of privacy

The New Party's Chu Mei-feng (璩美鳳), who is involved in a high-profile sex-VCD scandal, yesterday changed her mind and decided to sue her ex-boyfriend, former Hsinchu City mayor Tsai Jen-chien (蔡仁堅), local media reported.

The scandal began on Dec. 17, when the tabloid Scoop Weekly (獨家報導) began giving away free VCDs that allegedly depict a sexual encounter between Chu and married businessman Tseng Chung-ming (曾仲銘).

According to police, Tsai is suspected of installing or helping to install a number of pinhole cameras at Chu's apartment in Tamsui, Taipei County.

Chu, the 36-year-old former director of Hsinchu's Cultural Affairs Bureau, on Jan. 6 decided not to file a lawsuit against Tsai after he held a press conference the day before, denying his involvement in the case while proclaiming his love for Chu.

However, during a hearing at the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office yesterday morning, she said she had decided to sue him for invasion of privacy.

Chu announced the decision during a confrontation with Kuo Yu-ling (郭玉鈴), a prime suspect in the case, and her 19-year-old daughter, Kao Chun-chun (高淳淳). Both Kuo and Kao were taken into custody earlier this month. Kuo has admitted to having planted the camera that was used to film the VCD in Chu's apartment.

Chu would not explain the reasoning behind her change of heart and refused to comment on rumors that Kuo provided further evidence disadvantageous to Tsai.

According to local media, Tsai has admitted that he was with Kuo when she bought the pinhole cameras used in the case last summer. The former mayor, however, said that he had no idea what Kuo's purpose for buying the equipment was.

On Dec. 1, Tsai lost his re-election bid while Chu lost her legislative bid to represent the New Party in Taichung City.