A corruption case in Taiwan's legislature has widened after a key suspect cut off his electronic monitor and fled, and now a second aide is under suspicion — bad news for independent lawmaker Kao Chin Su-mei.

• Chang Chun-chieh, the money handler for Kao Chin Su-mei's office, cut off his ankle monitor and disappeared, and is now wanted by police.
• Another aide in the same office, Chen Chun-wei, ate with Chang the morning he ran and took items from him for safekeeping; he was released on a small bail over charges of hiding a fugitive and destroying government property.
• Prosecutors searched Kao Chin Su-mei's legislative office again but took nothing away.
• Investigators are tracing family and staff money trails, including accounts belonging to Chang's relatives, and want to know who gave him cash, transport, or a place to hide.
• Prosecutors had asked to keep Chang locked up because of his overseas money and family ties in China, but a judge let him out on bail instead — five days later he was gone.

Outlook: The manhunt will keep expanding through Chang's family and staff network, and the judge's decision to grant bail is likely to draw heavy criticism.