The saga of DPP Legislator Cheng Yu-chen's (
Before leaving for Los Angeles with Wang on Wednesday night Cheng told reporters that he wanted to divorce his wife, Lu Pei-ying (
Cheng's alleged bigamy and divorce plans have shocked supporters, some of whom said they regretted voting for him last December.
A Taipei man with close ties to Wang told reporters that his friend married Cheng during a recent visit to Las Vegas. The man speculated that a desire to end his bigamous status prompted Cheng to end his 30-year long marriage.
Cheng, who has dodged the media in recent weeks, confirmed to reporters at the airport on Wednesday that he has asked a senior colleague to help mediate his divorce.
However, he dismissed allegations that he was kept captive by Wang.
"Do I look like I am under the influence of witchcraft?" Cheng asked. "Such reporting will cause harm to society."
Cheng's family members and friends have attributed the lawmaker's infatuation with Wang to witchcraft or other magic tricks by the actress-turned politician.
Cheng also confirmed his resolve to hire Wang as convener of his legislative office. "The matter has nothing to do with anyone else. It's my decision alone and I will shoulder all consequences," he said.
Wang told reporters that she has adopted a "three no's" policy about her private life -- no speeches, no comments and no response to any questions.
"Please leave us alone," she said.
Cheng's son, Cheng Yu-hao (鄭余豪), expressed shock yesterday at the reports of his father's secret marriage.
"It is unbelievable," he said. "He did visit Las Vegas in July but I spotted nothing unusual in his behavior after his return."
Lu has previously said she will never agree to a divorce.
"I'm a member of the Cheng family," she said. "That fact will remain unchanged even after I die."
In an attempt to win back her husband, Lu has sought recourse with the DPP and tried to work as a volunteer legislative assistant in his office.
In a related development, the DPP's Justice Alliance faction suspended the lawmaker on Wednesday.
DPP Legislator Tsai Huang-liang (蔡煌瑯), a faction member, said the move was intended to help rather than punish Cheng.
Tsai said Cheng phoned him before boarding the plane Wednesday to say he would abide by the faction's decision.
Shih Ming-ching (
"Some believe if Cheng had not entered the legislature, this extramarital affair would not have taken place at all," Shih said.
Control Yuan data show that Cheng's finances are deeply in the red. As of June 14, he had debts of NT$358 million. The companies the legislator had shares in have either been shut down or dissolved.
Meanwhile, DPP Legislator Tsai Chi-fang (
Tsai said he is not friends with Cheng but found his courage to stick to his love admirable and asked critics to spare his embattled colleague.
"Despite the circumstances, Cheng would not leave Wang," he said. "Truthful lovers like him are few and far between nowadays," he said.
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