Bamboo Union gangster surrenders in case of fugitive aide to Taiwan lawmaker Kao Chin Su-mei
A Taiwanese gang member accused of helping a corruption-case defendant flee has turned himself in, a step forward for prosecutors but bad news for the fugitive aide still on the run.
- Chang Chun-chieh, an aide to independent lawmaker Kao Chin Su-mei, cut off his electronic ankle monitor and fled earlier this month while out on bail.
- Chang and Kao Chin were charged in June with corruption over alleged fake claims for assistant pay, with prosecutors seeking prison terms of 12 and 16 years or more.
- Investigators say Bamboo Union member Chen Wei-ta physically broke the ankle monitor and helped arrange the escape.
- Chen walked into the Criminal Investigation Bureau with his lawyer and was handed over to New Taipei police.
- Chen is a known figure: he shot a man near the legislature in 2013, fled to China, and was brought back two years later, and police say he runs nightclub protection and land-redevelopment rackets across Taipei and New Taipei.
Outlook: Police have cancelled Chang's passport and are offering a reward of up to NT$1 million for tips, so Chen's surrender is likely to tighten the net on the still-missing aide.