Former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislator Yen Kuan-heng (顏寬恒) was yesterday released on NT$10 million (US$328,353) bail after police searched his mansion in Taichung’s Salu District (沙鹿) on suspicion of fraud.
Yen’s wife, Chen Li-ling (陳麗淩), was released after posting bail of NT$5 million.
Taichung prosecutors, investigators and police on Tuesday searched the mansion and summoned the couple for questioning.
Photo: CNA
Yen sold the mansion for NT$45 million, considered to be below market price, to Taichung-based Jazz Space Design (澤序空間設計) in the run-up to a legislative by-election in January last year, which he lost to the Democratic Progressive Party’s Lin Ching-yi (林靜儀).
Controversy surrounded Yen during the by-election campaign, as he reportedly has more than 70 properties, while questions arose about how his family acquired the plots and obtained the permits to build the sprawling mansion, part of which is on public land.
Authorities on Tuesday also took in four people working at Jazz Space Design — its owner, architect and two employees — saying that all six suspects are facing pending charges of forgery, illegal acquisition of public land and related charges.
Yen said the investigation was politically motivated, as the search came after he registered with the KMT last week to run in next year’s legislative election against Lin.
However, prosecutors yesterday said they have sufficient evidence to press charges following a year-long investigation.
Prosecutors said they also questioned National Property Administration staff on suspicion of forging papers and receiving kickbacks to approve the mansion’s transaction deal.
A preliminary investigation found that the transaction was fraudulent and involved suspected collusion by National Property Administration staff, they said.
Yen and his wife are still in control of the property, prosecutors said, adding that the fraudulent transaction aimed to avoid questions about how the couple acquired public land and obtained approval for construction, as well as other illegal aspects related to the mansion.
The New Power Party (NPP) in statement condemned Yen, saying that “it is well-known that the Yen family represents ‘black gold’ politics. They use their wealth, political clout and the threat of violence to accumulate vast property holdings.”
“The Yen family has been embroiled in numerous controversies since the patriarch, Yen Ching-piao (顏清標), was elected councilor and later legislator. The older Yen has been indicted for running gambling rackets and served a prison term for using public funds for entertainment expenses at nightclubs,” it said.
“He passed the torch to his son, and daughter Yen Li-min (顏莉敏), both of whom have been investigated for unlawful acquisition of public land, illegal construction and abuse of public office for personal profit. All of these cases are known to the public and have been shown in media reports,” it said.
The NPP also accused the KMT of flouting its own stated aims.
“We ask the KMT not to nominate Yen Kuang-hen, a man with a record of misconduct and illegal activities... The KMT ... has promised to dissociate itself from ‘black gold’ and gangsters, yet it keeps Yen as a member and nominates him for legislative elections,” the NPP said.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS