Lawmaker accused of owing tax evader NT$4 billion

The lawyer of imprisoned stock-market speculator Huang Jen-chung (黃任中) accused PFP Legislator Fu Kun-chi (傅崑萁) and two other business tycoons of owing his client a total NT$5.37 billion, local Chinese-language newspapers reported yesterday.

The reports said the lawyer came forward on Feb. 19 saying that Fu owes a debt of NT$4 billion to Huang, while Hualon Group chief executive officer Ong Da-ming (翁大銘) owes NT$910 million and Lin Chien-piao (林健標) owes NT$460 million.

Taking promissory notes presented by the attorney as evidence, the Ministry of Justice's Taipei Administrative Enforcement Department has issued a distress warrant against Fu, saying that any debts owed to Huang are now owed to the state.

According to reports, Fu was angered by the allegation.

"I do not owe him a cent. Huang and his lawyer should be more clear about this," Fu was quoted as saying.

Fu said he served as a witness when a prominent figure active in both political and business circles borrowed money from Huang amid the financial crisis five years ago. He said that the borrower took out a mortgage on a more than 1.2 million ping [396,000m2] piece of land in Taipei City, with a market price exceeding NT$4 billion.

Fu was indicted by Taipei District Prosecutors' Office in February 2000 for illegally speculating on Taiwan Pineapple Group stocks.

Huang -- son of former Judicial Yuan president Huang Shao-ku (黃少谷) -- is currently detained for evading NT$1.4 billion in taxes.