Yilan Fire Bureau Catering Scandal: Director Hsu Sent Home on NT$500,000 Bail

Central News Agency Report (Reporter Wang Chao-yu, Yilan, June 16)

The Yilan District Prosecutors Office is investigating allegations of false expense claims related to catering events organized by the Yilan County Fire Bureau. Today, a second wave of actions was launched, with Director Hsu Sung-yi of the Yilan County Fire Bureau being summoned for questioning. After interrogation by prosecutors, he was ordered to post a bail of NT$500,000.

Prosecutors and investigators have obtained intelligence indicating that fire bureau staff, while handling the completion procedures for the 'National Certification Program for Specialized Rescue Teams – Medium-Scale Rescue Unit Capability Assessment,' allegedly engaged in procurement activities such as catering events and used falsified receipts for improper expense reimbursement. In response, the Yilan District Prosecutors Office immediately established a special task force to conduct a full investigation.

On May 26, the first wave of actions was carried out, summoning Chang Shun-yao, former head of the Rescue Division and current commander of the First Battalion, among others. After interrogation, Chang was released on a bail of NT$100,000. This morning, prosecutors again directed the Yilan County Investigation Station to take Hsu from his residence to the fire bureau director's office, conducting searches of both his home and office, while simultaneously summoning Lin, the female owner of the restaurant involved.

Before being taken away, Hsu, while waiting for the elevator, told reporters, 'I'm just cooperating with the investigation to clarify the facts. I believe our staff are innocent.'

Prosecutors suspect that during the organization of these catering events, Hsu allegedly instructed Lin to issue invoices exceeding the actual meal costs for reimbursement purposes, with the difference being misappropriated for personal use—partly for purchasing private alcohol and partly for personal gatherings. The preliminary amount involved is estimated at several tens of thousands of New Taiwan dollars.

After being transferred to the Yilan District Prosecutors Office for further questioning, prosecutors this afternoon ordered Hsu to post NT$500,000 bail on suspicion of violating the Anti-Corruption Act. Lin was released on NT$50,000 bail on suspicion of forgery and violations of the Commercial Accounting Act. Authorities will continue to investigate whether additional funds were misappropriated by Hsu for personal use. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150616