Prosecutors in charge of investigating former president Chen Shui-bian’s (陳水扁) corruption and money laundering cases recently requested that US judicial authorities return the fugitive Huang Fang-yen (黃芳彥), who has been accused of helping the former first family hide and launder assets.
The former deputy superintendent of the Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital and close friend to the former first family was charged with violating the Money Laundering Control Act (洗錢防制法) by allegedly helping the former first family hide and launder money.
The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office’s Special Investigation Panel (SIP) alleged Huang had helped former first lady Wu Shu-jen (吳淑珍) hide diamonds, jewelry and NT$60 million (US$2 million) after a search of his residence produced some evidence.
However, prosecutors said NT$220 million in laundered funds remained unaccounted for.
Prosecutors hope that through judicial mutual assistance, the US would return Huang to Taiwan for questioning about the source of the funds to help investigators determine whether the former first family obtained the money through illegal means.
Huang has been on the wanted list since March. He fled to the US in November last year before prosecutors could question him about allegations that he helped the former first family launder money.
Huang was initially believed to be living in California after TV footage showed him answering a reporter’s questions, saying he would return to Taiwan as soon as he had taken care of personal matters in the US. However, he has repeatedly ignored prosecutors’ summons.
Prosecutors said they have recently gathered information that indicates Huang is likely to be hiding in New Jersey.
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