Print

Mail

wiki links

Allegations appear to be based on the wrong man

Acting head of the Department of Health Twu Shiing-jer, right, along with his parents, yesterday holds a press conference at the department to claim his innocence in the ear-licking harassment case. PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES

In a shock development last night, Tu Hau-lin (屠豪麟), the section chief of the Department of Health's (DOH) personnel department was accused by others of being the man in a Cashbox KTV who on Aug. 6 kissed Cheng Ko-jung (鄭可榮).

The harassment allegations had earlier focused on DOH acting director-general Twu Shiing-jer (涂醒哲).

As of press time of press time, Tu had yet to comment on the accusations made by Ding Jui-feng (丁瑞豐), who attended the party.

Cheng's accusations of sexual harassment against Twu have rocked the Cabinet in the past few days. Ding's claim last night suggests that the scandal might rest on a case of mistaken identity.

Yesterday Twu, having filed a libel suit against his accusers Thursday, continued his offensive, reiterating his innocence on the sexual harassment charges.

Twu vowed to "fight to the end" and demanded that PFP lawmaker Diane Lee (李慶安), who has played a major role in pressing the allegations, resign from her post if he is vindicated.

Meanwhile, National Taiwan University Hospital said there was no record of a person named Hsu having been employed as the head of its neuro-surgery department, casting doubt on the identity of a man who appeared on TV Thursday claiming to have seen Twu at the party at which the harassment is alleged to have occurred.

Threat of lawsuit

"Since the TV network did not show Hsu's photo, I cannot tell whether I know this person. However, I would file a lawsuit against anyone who brings false charges against me," Twu said yesterday.

"I will fight to the end. The accusers must bear the punishment under the civil and criminal law if I am proven innocent," he said.

He also said that he would ask for NT$50 million in compensation from his accusers -- Cheng and Diane Lee -- for damaging his reputation.

Cheng, the owner of a dumpling shop in downtown Taipei, called a news conference on Thursday with the help of Lee, accusing the nation's top health official of kissing him on the face and licking his ear against his will at a Cashbox KTV parlor on the night of Aug. 6.

Twu denied his presence at the KTV and said he had never seen Cheng before.

Twu, accompanied by his wife, his lawyer and his elderly parents, held a press conference at the DOH yesterday morning to release a four-point statement.

Twu said he had already handed evidence to prosecutors and hoped the truth could soon be revealed.

Twu also challenged those who had testified through the local media to his presence at the KTV to confront the public.

Possible resignation

In his statement, Twu stressed that if Lee's accusation was confirmed, he would resign from his post.

"On the other hand, Lee should resign from her post as a lawmaker if I am proven innocent," he said.

Twu's elderly parents told media yesterday that Twu was at home at the night of Aug. 6.
This story has been viewed 2205 times.