Hualien Government Ethics Officer Accused of Sexual Harassment and Indecency; AAC Vows Strict Action

(CNA, Taipei, June 3) The Agency Against Corruption (AAC) stated today that, in response to media reports about a Hualien County government ethics officer allegedly involved in sexual harassment and indecency, the accused has been removed from his current position. Administrative violations will be referred for disciplinary action; criminal aspects will be transferred to the investigation authorities with evidence, and accountability will be determined after the facts are clarified.

According to media reports, a senior ethics officer from Hualien County Government took a female colleague to Taipei in late May for a business training event. Upon arriving at the hotel, the female colleague learned that the officer had booked only one room, citing budget constraints. The officer allegedly prevented the colleague from leaving the room and made physical contact. The colleague insisted on paying for an additional room at the front desk and subsequently fled to a nearby police station to file a report. The police have referred the case to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office on charges of sexual harassment, indecency, and obstruction of freedom.

The Ministry of Justice's Agency Against Corruption (AAC) issued a press release today, reiterating its firm stance against violations of gender equality and bullying, stating that such acts will not be tolerated. The AAC stated that upon receiving the report regarding the Hualien ethics officer, it immediately instructed the relevant agency's ethics department to remove the officer from his post and handle the matter strictly and severely.

The AAC stated that the administrative violations will be referred for disciplinary action. Regarding the criminal aspects reported by the complainant, relevant evidence will be transferred to the investigation authorities, and accountability will be pursued after the facts are clarified.

The AAC reiterated that ethics personnel bear the responsibility of maintaining the integrity and impartial image of government agencies and must strictly adhere to laws and workplace ethics. It urged all supervisory agencies' ethics departments to strengthen gender equality education, sexual harassment prevention advocacy, and workplace ethics concepts, enhance personnel's self-discipline and risk awareness, ensure they observe proper boundaries, and strictly hold those who violate rules accountable. (Editor: Li Xizhang) 1150603