TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Democratic Progressive Party Taipei City Councilor Chen Yi-chung (陳怡君) is under investigation for allegedly misappropriating assistant fees, CNA reported Wednesday.

Shilin District Prosecutors Office and the Investigation Bureau deployed more than 10 personnel to search Chen’s service and council offices on Wednesday. The operation, which began around 9:20 a.m., was conducted in three phases and remains ongoing.

Authorities have taken Chen and several assistants to the Taipei City Council as the investigation continues.

Chen is accused of misappropriating over NT$3 million (US$91,300) in assistant fees by appointing her brother and three other relatives as figurehead assistants. Seven suspects and four witnesses have been questioned, and will be transferred for further investigation on Wednesday evening.

Chen represents the Zhongshan and Datong districts in Taipei. She narrowly won a seat in the 2018 Taipei City Council elections and was re-elected in 2022.