Two Taipei Police Officers Acquitted in Case of Allegedly Defrauding COVID-19 Investigation Fees of Over NT$30,000

(CNA Taipei, June 30) A former section chief of the Wanhua Precinct of the Taipei City Police Department and a former police officer were accused of defrauding over NT$30,000 in COVID-19 investigation fees. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office indicted the two on charges of corruption. The Taipei District Court ruled them not guilty today. The verdict can be appealed.

The "Regulations on the Payment of Investigation Work Fees for Severe Pneumonia with Novel Pathogens Confirmed Cases by Police Agencies" issued by the National Police Agency stipulates that the maximum personal work fee for each case is NT$1,000, with a limit of NT$5,000 per case. The recipients must be personnel who actually engaged in the investigation work.

According to the indictment by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office, between June 2021 and November 2021, a former police sergeant surnamed Li from the Wanhua Precinct's administrative section was responsible for investigation work. In December of the same year, he applied for personal work fees totaling NT$34,900. However, the application was returned because the fees for some units did not reach the application limit.

The indictment states that the male defendant, identified as Wu, was aware that the former police sergeant Li's application had been returned, and that Li had been transferred in February 2022. Wu allegedly conspired with the female defendant, identified as Jian, to reapply for the funds under Jian's name to defraud the money. An investigation by the Taipei City Police Department discovered anomalies, leading to the referral of Wu and Jian for prosecution. After investigation, the prosecutor indicted the two on charges of public officials using their positions to defraud property under the Anti-Corruption Act and using false official documents under the Criminal Code.

The Taipei District Court announced its verdict today, acquitting both defendants. The court has not yet explained the facts determined in the judgment or the reasons for the acquittal. This case can be appealed. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150630

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