Investigators have questioned Hsinchu Mayor-elect Ann Kao (高虹安) and her boyfriend Li Zhongting (李忠庭) regarding alleged wage fraud and misuse of public funds. The Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau announced their investigation on Thursday, and the couple were seen entering a bureau station, though the bureau did not confirm this. Earlier in the day, investigators entered Kao’s office at the Legislative Yuan, taking with them a box of documents, as well as her office director Chen Hanyu (陳奐宇). Others, including Li’s assistant, were also slated for questioning as part of the investigation.
Ann Kao is a member of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), a new party founded by outgoing Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) in 2019. Kao is the only member of the TPP to win a mayoral race in the recent 9-in-1 local elections. Kao was plagued by several scandals during her campaign, including accusations of plagiarism and misuse of government funds among others.
Head of the TPP’s legislative caucus Chiu Chen-yuan (邱臣遠) said he did not know the investigation would be launched beforehand. He added that the TPP respects the authority of the prosecutors, and intends to stick to the principle of not commenting about ongoing investigations, and will wait to see the results. When asked if Chiu had any recent contacts with Kao, Chiu stated that he had but that they only discussed upcoming legislation, and did not discuss the facts of Kao’s case. Kao is scheduled to take office as Hsinchu Mayor on December 25, 2022.