DPP lawmaker shrugs off allegations about an affair

DPP Legislator Cheng Yu-chen (鄭余鎮) said yesterday he would not sack his assistant Wang Hsiao-chang (王筱蟬), despite reports he is having an affair with her.

Cheng, who had just returned from a trip with Wang to China, issued a statement yesterday afternoon saying he regretted the extensive media coverage of his alleged affair with the female aide.

Lauding Wang as both competent and talented, the lawmaker said he would continue to take advantage of her professionalism to help serve his constituents.

Cheng had previously planned to call a news conference to clarify the matter but decided later in the day to call it off after what he called miscommunication with his family members.

"Despite the gossip, I will go ahead and hire Wang as convener of my legislative office," Cheng said in the statement. "Wang, who is multi-lingual, is in charge of international affairs and contacts with the business community. We hope to help boost the economy by creating more employment opportunities."

Earlier in the day, he said impatiently during a telephone interview that Wang did not meddle in his domestic affairs.

Recently, a Chinese-language magazine published pictures showing Cheng visiting Wang's apartment building late at night. The accompanying story claimed the two were romantically involved.

Wang subsequently dismantled the video cameras above the entrance to the building and inside the elevator, saying she suspected the security guards had sold the pictures to the magazine in violation of her privacy.

Asked to comment on his ties with his wife, the DPP legislator said, "That is my own business. I don't see why the press fusses over it."

On Wednesday, Wang told reporters that Cheng and his wife, who were married 30 years ago, had been separated for more than 10 years, but that "my interactions with the lawmaker are purely professional."

Wang added that she thought it was "unwise" for Cheng's wife, Lu Pei-ying (呂珮茵), to act as a legislative assistant. She said Lu was not qualified for the job.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Lu went to her husband's office, saying she wanted to help serve his constituents.

"I have helped Cheng since the year after he married me," Lu said, defending her qualifications.

However, the lawmaker suggested his wife's help was not needed, saying he had hired several people to look after his business, public and private.