Legislator May Chin's Longtime Aide Cuts Ankle Monitor, Disappears While Facing Corruption Trial

Chang Chun-chieh, the former chief-of-staff to independent Legislator May Chin who has managed her China-affairs portfolio since 2002, disappeared on Sunday, September 6-7, 2026 after cutting off his court-ordered electronic ankle monitor, which judicial police later recovered "broken and thrown away." An arrest warrant was issued and immigration authorities notified. Chang and Chin were among 25 people indicted in June 2026 on corruption and fraud charges tied to the alleged embezzlement of public funds and the illegal import, during the 2022 pandemic, of 74,400 unapproved COVID-19 rapid test kits from China; prosecutors have recommended a 16-year sentence for Chang and 12.5 years for Chin. Chang had been released on NT$10 million bail in June on health grounds (he is over 70 and battling lung cancer) and had appeared in court the previous Tuesday, denying the corruption charges while admitting to document forgery. His disappearance preceded prosecutors' subsequent disclosure that they suspect he ran a China-funded espionage network from Chin's office.