Former Taiwan Labor Official Granted Bail Amid Suicide and Corruption Scandal

NT$1 Million Bail Granted to Hsieh Yi-jung, Embroiled in Allegations of Workplace Bullying and Corruption, After Months of Detention.

Taipei, Taiwan - Hsieh Yi-jung (謝宜容), a former Ministry of Labor (MOL) official embroiled in a highly publicized scandal, has been granted bail after months of detention. The New Taipei District Court ordered her release on Tuesday, setting bail at NT$1 million (approximately US$30,273).

The court imposed several restrictions on Hsieh. She is prohibited from leaving Taiwan and must reside at her current residence or a designated location while wearing an electronic ankle monitor. Hsieh had been detained and held incommunicado since December.

Hsieh was indicted last week by New Taipei prosecutors on charges of embezzlement, profiteering under the Anti-Corruption Act, and unauthorized disclosures as a public official. The prosecution had sought to extend her detention, citing potential flight risk, but the court denied this request, citing the completion of the investigation and Hsieh's admission of guilt.

During the court proceedings, Hsieh reportedly wept.

The indictment detailed that Hsieh allegedly leaked official information, steered government contracts towards favored companies, and misused government funds to purchase holiday gift boxes for personal use while serving as the head of the New Taipei office of the MOL's Workforce Development Agency in 2023-24. This investigation arose following the tragic suicide of a 39-year-old civil servant from the Workforce Development Agency.

The civil servant's death was allegedly linked to workplace bullying by Hsieh, which led to her dismissal on November 20th of last year. The incident, coupled with criticism of the MOL's handling, ignited public outrage. This pressure ultimately resulted in the resignation of then-Minister of Labor Ho Pei-shan (何佩珊) on November 21st.

Prosecutors also investigated Hsieh for negligent homicide in connection to the civil servant's death. They ultimately declined to press charges, concluding there was "no legal causation" between the suicide and Hsieh's management style.