TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Peggy Chen (陳佩琪), wife of Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), apologized to the party on Thursday (Sept. 12) for using NT$43 million in election subsidies to purchase a commercial office, calling it an ill-considered decision.
In an exclusive interview with TVBS News, Chen tearfully stated, "Our children are afraid of coming home. Our family is being eradicated and is falling apart."
Chen clarified that the two bank safe deposit boxes seized by authorities contained her dowry jewelry and NT$500,000 each in cash for emergencies. She emphasized that their family's finances are legitimate and expressed shock at media comparisons of her banking activities to money laundering.
Chen explained that Ko bought the office to serve as a workspace, as it seemed odd for the TPSF (眾望基金會), Ko's private foundation, and Taiwan Origin Brain Trust (台灣新故鄉智庫協會) to operate within the party headquarters.
Chen also detailed her financial responsibilities following her father's death in 2016. She managed her mother's inheritance and pension, which included NT$4.1 million deposited in July 2016. From 2017 to this year, she withdrew NT$535,000 from this account. Additionally, her salary withdrawals amounted to NT$5.28 million, with Ko's leftover election subsidies, salary deposits, and other fees totaling NT$16.28 million.
Chen reiterated that the seized safe deposit boxes, containing wedding jewelry and NT$500,000 each, belonged to her, dismissing media reports about the investigation.