TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an (高虹安) said Thursday the city government will launch an investigation into sexual harassment allegations involving Deputy Mayor Chiu Chen-yuan (邱臣遠).

Kao said the city had received tips indicating that some city government employees may have experienced inappropriate treatment by supervisors, prompting authorities to initiate measures to protect the affected individual, per UP Media. She said assistance channels have been provided, but no formal complaint has yet been filed.

To address concerns over potential bias in handling allegations involving a deputy mayor, Kao said the city will form an investigation team that includes external experts selected from databases maintained by the Ministry of Labor.

Storm Media reported that Chiu allegedly asked a female civil servant to accompany him even when he went to the restroom, causing her distress, per Newtalk. The woman is said to have begun collecting evidence related to the alleged conduct.

Chiu denied the allegations Wednesday, calling them fabricated. He said the reports had caused serious damage to his reputation and that of the city government, and he urged the city to conduct a formal investigation.

The mayor’s handling of the case drew criticism from the Democratic Progressive Party. DPP Hsinchu City Councilor Liu Chung-hsien (劉崇顯) said relocating the alleged victim rather than the accused could discourage female city employees, per FTV.

Kao responded by saying the reassignment was made at the request of the affected worker and in accordance with relevant regulations.