Taiwan Today

Newly elected Hualien County Magistrate Fu Kun-chi’s appointment of his ex-wife Hsu Chen-wei as deputy magistrate is invalid because their recent divorce has been determined to be bogus, the Ministry of the Interior said Dec. 22. The announcement was made after the decision on the matter was made at a meeting of officials from the MOI, Executive Yuan, the Control Yuan and other relevant ministries and agencies. Fu had made the announcement of his ex-wife’s appointment Dec. 21 shortly after assuming office. The couple had completed divorce proceedings just three days earlier. On Dec. 22, Fu switched Hsu’s household registration to the home of his mother, who lives next door to him, with the couple continuing to raise their children together. These moves coupled with revealing statements made in public by Fu led the MOI to conclude that the divorce was not genuine. The decision invalidated Hsu’s appointment as public officeholders cannot by law select a spouse or family member to serve as their deputy. Following the decision, the MOI will ask the Control Yuan to fine Fu between NT$1 million (US$ 31,000) and NT$5 million for violating the Act on Recusal of Public Servants Due to Conflicts of Interest. In response to the ministry’s decision, Fu’s office issued a press release stating that the magistrate will comply with the ministry’s instructions and announcing that he has cancelled the appointment of Chen as his deputy. Fu said that he would still complete the mission with which the people of Hualien have entrusted him. Noting that he will not receive a salary during his four years in office, Fu said that all his efforts are for the sake of serving the public’s interests. He added that his wife will continue working to help the women of the county as well as disadvantaged groups, while at the same time also taking care of their own children. Ministry officials said the case of Fu and his wife applying for a “fake” divorce is not the first of its kind in Taiwan. They noted that there have been many instances of couples filing for bogus divorces in order to evade paying taxes, avoid repaying loans or dodge other financial obligations. (SB)