Investigators have asked former President Chen Shui-bian and his wife to tell thei
r son Chen Chih-chung and daughter-in-law Huang Jui-ching to report to the prosecutors office for a probe about their roles in alleged money laundering involving the former first family.

Prosecutors have questioned both Chen and his wife Wu Su-chen about the suspected US$20 million in Huang's bank accounts in Switzerland with Chen junior holding power of attorney.

They also summoned both young Chen and Huang to appear for a questioning session, although the investigators knew the young couple already left Taiwan for the United States on Aug. 9 with their baby daughter and an aide.

Former President Chen told prosecutors he would pass the word to his son, but he cannot guarantee his return. Prosecutors said the young couple could be put on a wanted list if they repeatedly ignored summons.

Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said its staff stationed in the U.S. will provide all assistance possible to arrange for their return pending（直到…时、在…以前） the final decision by the Ministry of Justice.

Chen junior went to the U.S. to pursue a Doctorate degree after earning master's degrees in law at both New York University and the University of California at Berkeley.

He was scheduled to take a trip back to Taiwan for home visit on Jan. 19 next year.

But informed sources said that the chance for the junior Chen's return to Taiwan to answer questions or face the latest probe is almost nil.

At least one lawmaker of the ruling Kuomintang already openly said earlier that the first family had stashed huge amounts of money in the U.S. while the ex-president's son has owned at least permanent resident status for staying in the U.S., if not also owning a U.S. passport.

The young couple could be named suspected accomplices if their parents were found to have been involved in the alleged money laundering scandal.

They will also face daunting legal troubles if the sources of the huge funds deposited in their bank accounts by their parents originated from illegal sources. Officials at the Ministry of Finance plans to seek to levy a gift tax（赠与税） if the funds were given to the young couple as gift.

capital transfer tax 资本转让税

The back tax（退缴税） and a punitive fine for evading the tax could amount to more than NT$600 million, according to an estimate of an MOF official.