Prosecutors open embezzlement probe into 2 ex-Ma foundation staff

Taipei, May 29 (CNA) The Ma Ying-jeou Foundation on Friday filed criminal complaints against two former employees over alleged breach of trust and embezzlement, as controversy surrounding the foundation continued to escalate.

In a brief statement, the foundation said it filed complaints with the Shilin District Prosecutors Office against former chief executive Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑) and employee Wang Kuang-tzu (王光慈) to protect the foundation's interests, public assets and public trust.

It added that, as the case has entered judicial proceedings, it could not disclose further details at this stage and would fully cooperate with the investigation.

In a separate statement, the Shilin District Prosecutors Office confirmed that it received the criminal complaint and related evidence on Friday morning and would complete the case assignment later in the day.

The office added that it would hold a meeting to decide whether to assign a dedicated prosecutor to the case and would begin evidence collection under a preliminary case classification.

Hsiao, currently a vice chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT), previously served as the foundation's chief executive, while Wang was a staff member.

The two left their positions in late February amid allegations of a "power struggle" at the foundation, which was established in 2018 by Ma, the president of the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 2008 to 2016.

Hsiao's response to the complaints

Speaking to reporters, Hsiao said he was unsure whether Friday's complaints represented the board's position or the decision of a "certain" individual.

As the matter enters judicial proceedings, Hsaio said he would review the legality and procedures involved, while expressing confidence that the justice system would clear his name.

He added that he had conducted himself with integrity throughout his life and had never taken any money he was not entitled to.

Background

In an interview with the Chinese-language newspaper United Daily News in late March, the former president said the departure of Hsiao and Wang involved alleged breaches of financial discipline, citing their frequent trips to China and interactions with Taiwanese businesspeople there.

Around the same time, Hsiao denied wrongdoing and said the controversy was a misunderstanding. He added that he had always reported matters to Ma during his tenure, but that Ma "had forgotten many things" -- a remark seen as implying that Ma suffered from dementia.

On March 27, the foundation said it set up a three-member board committee to investigate the allegations against Hsiao and Wang.

After more than a month of investigation, the committee said in a statement on May 24 that it found no evidence of financial wrongdoing, adding that Wang had kept comprehensive accounting records and documentation in her role handling the organization's finances.

The committee said it conducted multiple meetings during the investigation and reviewed foundation records and other internal documents, which were submitted to the board of directors on April 20.

However, the investigation results were later rejected the next day by Ma.