Taichung: The Taichung District Court on Tuesday ordered the detention of a former Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) official accused of sexually assaulting subordinates between 2022 and 2023. The official, Lee Chien-yu, previously led the EPA Inspectorate's Inspection Team and was reported to prosecutors by police in December 2024.

According to Focus Taiwan, the Taichung District Prosecutors Office stated that it requested Lee's detention on suspicion of sexual assault and forced sexual intercourse after conducting a search of his residence and questioning him on April 17. The Control Yuan was first informed of the allegations against Lee in July 2023.

By October 2023, the Control Yuan had concluded that the claims made by Lee's accusers were credible, as detailed in a report released late last year. Following his resignation in September 2023, Lee was officially dismissed from the Inspectorate, which is now part of the Ministry of Environment's (MOENV) Environmental Management Administration, in February 2024.

On Tuesday, Deputy Minister of Environment Shih Wen-chen stated that the MOENV has not received any official request from prosecutors for relevant information. In response to media questions at a green-lifestyle promotional event, Shih emphasized that both former Minister Shieu Fuh-sheng and current Minister Peng Chi-ming are taking the matter seriously.

Shih further added that Peng is committed to transparency and hopes to actively address the issue to provide closure and protection for those affected while creating a safe working environment.