Yilan Prosecutors Raid Fire Bureau Over Alleged Fraudulent Meal Expense Claims

According to the Central News Agency, the Yilan District Prosecutors Office is investigating the Yilan County Fire Bureau for alleged fraudulent meal expense claims. On May 26, authorities raided the Disaster Rescue Division and questioned the former division chief, surnamed Chang, who currently serves as a battalion commander, regarding potential forgery and corruption. Prosecutors received tips that the Disaster Rescue Division had submitted fraudulent claims for meal expenses, totaling tens of thousands of New Taiwan Dollars. On the morning of the 26th, prosecutors directed the Yilan County Investigation Station of the Ministry of Justice to conduct simultaneous raids on five locations, including the Disaster Rescue Division and related residences, seizing relevant documents from the Fire Bureau. In addition to questioning Chang and staff members surnamed Wang and Lin, prosecutors summoned several others as witnesses to clarify the reimbursement process. Following questioning, six individuals, including Chang and the witnesses, were transferred to the District Prosecutors Office for further interrogation. The Yilan County Government had no immediate comment on the raid. Acting County Magistrate Lin Mao-sheng stated in the morning that he had not received relevant information and needed to look into the matter.