Confused about the difference between "loyalty and filial piety"? Ma Wenjun suspected of making false asset declarations | Fidelity Law Firm criminal lawyer explains the regulations for public servant asset declarations and the responsibilities for making false declarations.

Case Background and Legal Disputes

Can't distinguish between "loyalty and trustworthiness" and "loyalty and filial piety"? Ma Wenjun suspected of making false asset declarations | Mirror News

Kuomintang legislator Ma Wen-chun, still embroiled in controversy over the alleged submarine leak, was exposed yesterday (December 5th) by Mirror Weekly for illegally constructing a 700-ping (approximately 133 square meters) luxury estate in Puli on state-owned farmland without a building permit. Ma Wen-chun, lacking farmer status, allegedly leased the land for an extremely low price of NT$6,400 per month. She claimed there was no large farmhouse there, only a 40-ping (approximately 23 square meters) old wooden house left by her father, currently valued at only NT$70,000. She asserted that the lease was legal, rent was being paid accurately, and she would apply for a replacement permit.

A criminal lawyer from Fidelity Law Firm stated that the Public Officials Asset Declaration Act only punishes "intentional false declaration." If the error in the asset declaration is merely a clerical mistake, it may only require correction. However, if the error is intentional to evade asset declaration or conceal assets, it may be considered a violation of the law and subject to a fine of NT$200,000 to NT$4 million.

Opinion of Fidelity Law Firm

Lawyers at Fidelity Law Firm advise that in similar cases, one should not only look at the news headlines, but also return to the evidence, legal requirements, procedural stages, and the client's actual objectives. If the case has entered the court, district prosecutor's office, investigation bureau, or negotiation process, the earlier the information is gathered, the more room for maneuver it will retain.

What should be confirmed first when encountering similar cases?

• First, organize the event timeline, notices, contracts, chat logs, photos, videos, and payment information.
• Confirm the current stage of the process: it may be just a consultation, you may have been interviewed, you may have received a summons, you may have entered into court proceedings, or you may need to file a lawsuit to seek compensation.
• Assess whether there are immediate risks such as statute of limitations, evidence preservation, detention, imprisonment, settlement negotiations, or media exposure.