Prosecutors yesterday indicted nine people for allegedly installing hidden surveillance cameras in eight Dr Shine (光澤) clinics in Taipei and New Taipei City, and secretly recording more than 300 patients — including four minors — while they were exposed.
Investigations into other branches allegedly involved in the case are still ongoing.
The New Taipei City District Prosecutors’ Office is seeking a prison term of 16 years for Dr Shine group operations manager Chen Chih-min (陳志敏), 14 years for company information department head Tang Yung-chieh (唐詠傑) and seven years for surveillance camera supplier Chang Chao-ming (張朝銘).
Photo: Hsu Sheng-lun, Taipei Times
They also proposed seven years for Dr Shine employee Chiang Chin-wei (江勁緯) and unspecified prison terms for five other employees embroiled in the case.
Chen and Tang had abused clients’ trust, shown no remorse, offered no public apology and attempted to deceive police into believing that the devices had been removed years earlier, so they should receive severe sentences, the prosecutors’ office said in the indictment.
Prosecutors also called on Dr Shine owner Wang Chao-huei (王朝輝) to return to Taiwan to face investigation over the scandal.
Wang traveled to China before the incident came to light, but has allegedly shown no sign of willingly returning to Taiwan, even after a wanted notice was issued for him.
Chen and Tang allegedly installed surveillance cameras disguised as smoke detectors or sensor-activated lighting at two Dr Shine clinics in New Taipei City’s Banciao District (板橋); and one each in Sanxia District (三峽), Sanchong District (三重) and Sinjhuang District (新莊), prosecutors said.
They installed the same devices at clinics in Taipei’s Guting District (古亭), Daan District (大安) and Songshan District (松山), they added.
Tang allegedly created a Line group that included Chen and others, and used it to direct efforts to remove surveillance cameras from all branches between May 5 and May 8, prosecutors said.
The installation of cameras allegedly gave Chen and Tang access to private moments when patients were exposed, severely infringing on people’s constitutionally guaranteed rights to privacy and self-determination, prosecutors added.
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