Jacqueline Liu, the former director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Kansas City, who returned to Taiwan five days ago, was suspended from duty by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) following an internal investigation.

Liu was indicted on labor fraud charges, in the US, to which she pleaded guilty, and was deported to Taiwan. Following suspension, MOFA has referred the case to the Control Yuan, the nation's highest watchdog body for further investigation.

The MOFA had asked Jacqueline Liu to clarify the case right after she returned to Taiwan on February 15. The ad hoc committee completed an investigation report at midnight on February 16. The report concluded that, first, Jacqueline Liu had violated the US labor fraud laws. Second, there was no irregularity in accounting. However, Liu's treatment of her two Filipina housekeepers indeed involved some improper practices, but the Ministry could not jump to the conclusion that she abused her foreign housekeepers, the MOFA concluded.

Liu stressed that media reports that she had abused her maids were "absolutely nonfactual."

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