Yilan Fire Bureau Official Xu Song-Yi Questioned Over Alleged Fraudulent Expense Claims for Banquets

(Central News Agency reporter Wang Chao-Yu, Yilan, June 16) The Yilan District Prosecutors Office is investigating allegations that the Yilan County Fire Bureau submitted false documentation to reimburse expenses for banquet events. Today, a second phase of operations was launched, including searches of Fire Chief Xu Song-Yi's residence and office, and Xu, along with one restaurant vendor, was summoned for questioning to clarify the case details.

Prosecutors and investigators have obtained intelligence indicating that Fire Bureau staff, while handling the conclusion of training for the 'National Certification Program for Specialized Rescue Teams – Medium-Scale Rescue Unit Capability Assessment,' allegedly engaged in procurement activities such as banquets and used falsified receipts to fraudulently claim public funds. In response, the Yilan District Prosecutors Office immediately established a special task force to conduct a thorough investigation.

On the morning of May 26, prosecutors directed the Yilan County Investigation Station of the Ministry of Justice's Investigation Bureau to conduct coordinated searches at five locations, including the Rescue Operations Division and the homes of relevant personnel. Those summoned for questioning included Chang Shun-Yao, former head of the Rescue Operations Division and current commander of the First Battalion; Wang and Lin, clerks in charge at the Fire Bureau; and Lai, a bureau clerk directly involved in the reimbursement process.

After overnight interrogation, prosecutors determined that Chang Shun-Yao, Lai, Lin, and Wang are suspected of forging documents and violating anti-corruption laws. Chang and Lai were released on bail of NT$100,000 each, Lin on NT$50,000 bail, while Wang was released without charges.

The investigation revealed multiple instances of fraudulent reimbursement beyond a single banquet, including inflating the number of attendees or claiming expenses for events that never occurred. This morning, prosecutors again directed the Yilan County Investigation Station to bring Xu Song-Yi from his home to the Fire Chief’s office, and conducted searches of both his residence and office. (Editor: Lin Shu-Hui) 1150616

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