Hualien Deputy Magistrate Questioned in School Lunch Scandal; Prosecutor Says Will Investigate Upward if Evidence Found

(Central News Agency, Hualien County, 12th) In the Hualien school lunch corruption case, Hualien County Deputy Magistrate Yen Hsin-chang was released on NT$1 million bail after being re-interrogated by prosecutors, with restrictions placed on his residence, travel, and departure from Taiwan. The Hualien District Prosecutors Office stated it does not rule out further actions and will continue to investigate upward if relevant evidence is found.

Prosecutors suspect that the bidding process for the Hualien school lunch contract was manipulated to benefit a specific vendor. In the first wave of searches last month, the then-responsible section chief, the vendor, and county councilor Wu Tung-sheng were brought in for questioning. They were released on bail ranging from NT$200,000 to NT$300,000.

Prosecutors launched another search yesterday, summoning Yen and Acting Secretary-General Rao Chung for questioning. After the interrogation, Yen was released on NT$1 million bail on suspicion of violating the Anti-Corruption Act, with restrictions on his residence, travel, and departure from Taiwan. Witness Rao was released without charge.

Hualien District Prosecutors Office Chief Prosecutor Liao Jung-kuan explained today that both Yen and Rao had affixed their seals to documents concerning the tender, its cancellation, and the re-tender. Based on the evidence gathered, the degree of involvement of the two individuals differs.

Liao stated that considering Yen's social and economic status and the severity of the alleged crime, a higher bail amount of NT$1 million was set. He added that if relevant evidence is found, the investigation will continue upward, and further actions are not ruled out.

In 2023, the Hualien County Government's Department of Education managed a school lunch tender with a budget of NT$270 million. Seven vendors initially bid, but the tender was canceled because one vendor did not meet the qualifications. The re-tender saw relaxed rules, allowing the unqualified vendor to bid. The county government denied any intent to favor a specific vendor, citing administrative flaws.

According to sources, the vendor in question was established in 2021, entering the group meal market from a postpartum meal service business. It entered the Hualien school lunch market three years ago, contracting to provide meals for elementary, junior high, high schools, and kindergartens. (Editor: Li Hsi-chang) 1150612