Probe into allegations against Geneva envoy could take two months: FM

Taipei, Aug. 19 (CNA) The ongoing investigation into Taiwan's representative in Geneva, Greg Lee (李冠德), will take an estimated two months given the extensive allegations made against him, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said Wednesday.

Speaking during a legislative session, Lin said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) received a signed complaint accusing Lee of workplace bullying, poor leadership and the use of public resources for personal purposes in late July.

An ad hoc investigative task force was formed on Aug. 2 and includes individuals from outside the ministry with legal expertise, according to Lin.

"We are now relying on the ad hoc investigative team to clarify the facts. We also hope they can speed up the investigation. But we cannot jump to conclusions before the final results are released," he said.

Given the extent of the allegations, the investigation will also involve different MOFA units, he said.

If the investigation concludes that Lee engaged in workplace bullying, he would be asked to leave his post in Geneva and return to MOFA headquarters in Taipei for follow-up disciplinary action, according to Lu Shih-yi (呂世壹), head of MOFA's Personnel Department.

According to information provided by the ministry to opposition Kuomintang (KMT) lawmaker Hsu Chiao-hsin (徐巧芯), the ministry has received eight complaints of alleged workplace bullying at MOFA headquarters and overseas offices since Lin took office in May 2024.

Aside from the ongoing investigation into Lee, the seven other cases have been closed, and MOFA did not issue any punishment in any of them, according to Lu.

Lee's case was first made public earlier this month after several Taiwanese news outlets reported on a 134-page complaint signed by "all affected colleagues" that detailed seven categories of alleged misconduct.

Among the allegations was that Lee verbally humiliated subordinates and that his management style caused some employees to seek medical help.

He has also been accused of asking the Geneva office to use public funds to purchase bedding for his residence that cost more than 2,500 Swiss francs (US$3,074).

Another claim was that he spent about NT$130,000 (US$4,065) in public funds on high-end chocolates for visiting Taiwanese lawmakers attending events held alongside the 2025 World Health Assembly.

Knowing that the expense would not be reimbursed, Lee allegedly later asked subordinates to submit false expense claims to get MOFA to cover the expense.

Lee has reportedly returned to Taipei to facilitate the ongoing investigation, but Lin said Wednesday that the ad hoc investigative team has yet to interview the Geneva envoy.