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Two DPP members reject embezzlement allegations

Two Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members accused of embezzlement and breach of trust both dismissed the allegations.

Vice Chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation and former DPP legislator Chang Chun-hung (張俊宏) has been accused by investors of emptying out the Formosa Telecom Investment Co Ltd (全民電通投資公司).

The company was established by Chang and other DPP members in 1996 to fund the Formosa Television Company (FTV, 民視).

Chang reportedly raised NT$3 billion (US$90 million) from 15,000 investors but only NT$1 billion was invested in FTV. While the company should have had NT$2 billion in remaining funds, there was only NT$400 million left in the company's account when it went belly up in August.

Investors suspect Chang has used part of the money for personal gain, including transferring some to DPP Legislator Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) to finance his legislative campaign.

Ker, who doubles as the director of the party's Policy Committee, yesterday dismissed the speculation as being "baseless in reality" and said he would not rule out taking legal action.

"Chang has never provided me with any campaign finances," Ker said. "I'd be happy if he didn't borrow money from me, let alone lending me money."

DPP Legislator Hsu Jung-shu (許榮淑) said she did not know much about the matter because she and Chang have been separated for years.

Chang and Hsu have not yet completed their divorce.

Hsu said she believed Chang would handle the matter when he returns from an overseas trip.

Hsu, however, later said she remembered that Ker had borrowed NT$30 million from the company and never paid it back.

Hsu also insinuated that Chang's mistress, Lin Hui-jen (林慧珍), should be blamed for the matter.

"[Chang] has a tendency to trust people easily and give his heart and soul for them," she said.

Chang, who returned home late yesterday afternoon, immediately dismissed the comments.

"If I am guilty, I am ready to serve time. If I am guilty, hurry up and hand down the sentence," Chang said. "I've done time during the Chinese Nationalist Party [KMT] era and I can do it again during the DPP administration."

Chang was blacklisted and jailed during the Martial Law era.

Chairman of the Self-help Association of Formosa Telecom Investment Hsu Hua (許華) said that the money given to Ker for his campaign was used to buy votes.
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