Gao Jin-Su-Mei's Assistant Zhang Jun-Jie Indicted for Corruption; Taipei District Court Orders NT$10 Million Bail and Travel Ban

(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 9, Reporter Xie Jun-Lin) Zhang Jun-Jie, an assistant to legislator Gao Jin-Su-Mei, was indicted for fraudulently claiming assistant subsidies and other charges, and was transferred to the Taipei District Court today. Zhang, who had been detained during the investigation, requested bail citing illness, while the prosecution argued for continued detention. After questioning, the judge ruled that Zhang could be released on bail of NT$10 million, with restrictions on residence, a ban on leaving the country, and electronic monitoring.

Independent legislator Gao Jin-Su-Mei is suspected of fraudulently claiming over NT$7.87 million in assistant salaries and other expenses. Zhang Jun-Jie is accused of conspiring with Gao to fraudulently claim assistant subsidies, and also of using the Multi-Ethnic Association to fraudulently claim over NT$9.33 million in subsidies from government agencies and state-owned enterprises. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office indicted 24 people yesterday on corruption and other charges, seeking sentences of over 12 years and 6 months for Gao and over 16 years for Zhang.

Zhang Jun-Jie, who had been detained during the investigation, was transferred to the Taipei District Court today. The prosecutor alleged that on February 10 of this year, around 7:00 AM, when Zhang's residence was being searched, he contacted Kuomintang legislator Luo Zhi-Qiang in an attempt to influence the investigation, initially refusing to open the door and contacting Gao Jin-Su-Mei and others. Although Zhang claimed he no longer worked in Gao's office, he continued to help, and after the indictment, Gao defended Zhang on Facebook, demonstrating their close relationship.

The prosecutor stated that Zhang Jun-Jie has the financial means to flee overseas, his eldest daughter Zhang Jia-Qi is at large and has long resided in China, and Zhang has the potential to collude with others or destroy evidence. Furthermore, as a central figure in the corruption case, he has seriously harmed public welfare, providing grounds and necessity for detention.

Zhang Jun-Jie's lawyer argued that Zhang is over 70 years old and suffers from illness, having lost more than ten kilograms since his detention. The lawyer claimed the detention center environment is poor and Zhang cannot receive adequate medical care. Additionally, the alleged criminal facts date back several years, and the discrepancies between Zhang's statements and those of co-defendants are misunderstandings, requesting bail.

After the hearing, the judge ruled that Zhang Jun-Jie be released on NT$10 million bail, with restrictions on residence, a ban on leaving the country (出境、出海), electronic monitoring, and regular reporting to the police station. (Editor: Xiao Bo-Wen) 1150609