TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Keelung Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Councilor Chang Chao-han (張顥瀚) was detained Wednesday (Oct. 22) on suspicion of fraudulently claiming more than NT$700,000 (US$21,823) in public funds.

Prosecutors searched Chang’s home, offices, and other locations on Tuesday (Oct. 21) after which the councilor, his mother, and six other people were questioned, per CNA. The investigation is probing suspicions Chang claimed fees for an assistant he did not have.

Prosecutors said there are serious suspicions Chang took advantage of his position to commit fraud, and that he had colluded with others to do so since 2019. They sought his detention without visitation rights due to concerns he may flee or destroy evidence, and their request was granted by a court on Wednesday.

Prosecutors said their estimate that Chang fraudulently took NT$700,000 from the public purse is conservative. They said preliminary investigations found Chang allegedly claimed fees to pay for two assistants, which he continued to do after one of them resigned.

The DPP’s Keeling branch said that because Chang is detained without visitation rights, the exact details of the case remain unclear. The branch said that it respects the investigation process and hopes the truth is clarified as soon as possible.

Chang was first elected to Keelung City Council in 2018 and was reelected in 2022. He worked as a confidential secretary under former Mayor Lin Yu-chang (林右昌), and supported the recently failed recall campaign against Keelung Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang (謝國梁).