Rape case against TV presenter dropped due to lack of evidence

Taipei, Sept. 11 (CNA) The Taipei Public Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday dropped the case against Mickey Huang (黃子佼), a television host who was accused of raping a minor earlier this year, due to a lack of evidence.

The case stems from a complaint filed by a woman, identified only as “Miss K,” who alleged she was raped by Huang in 2006 as a 17-year-old student.

The accusation was made public in April this year in a Facebook post by online personality ‘Zofia’, who herself claimed in 2023 that she was sexually abused by Huang in 2013.

Ms K said Huang invited her to his residence in Taipei’s Neihu District to take part in a photo shoot, after which he asked her to wear a swimsuit and pose provocatively. Huang later raped her before telling her to get dressed and go home, the Facebook post alleged.

After learning of the allegations, Taipei prosecutors launched an investigation into Huang and inspected the contents of a portable computer drive they already had in their possession in connection with another case. However, no images were found that were consistent with the allegations Ms. K. described, the prosecutor’s office said.

After the investigation was completed, prosecutors decided not to charge Huang, arguing that there was insufficient evidence to prove Huang guilty of the alleged crime.

Prosecutors also pointed to alleged inconsistencies in the statements of Ms K and the alleged witnesses, and errors in the prosecutor’s account of events.

Wednesday’s decision comes after prosecutors decided not to charge Huang in a separate sexual misconduct case due to a lack of evidence last year.

The first investigation into alleged sexual abuse by Huang was opened in the summer of 2023, after Zofia publicly accused the entertainer of kissing her without her consent and taking nude photos when she was 17.

During raids on Huang’s home and studio, police seized seven sexually explicit videos depicting minors that the presenter had purchased online between August 8, 2017, and July 8, 2023.

Huang was arrested but released on NT$350,000 (US$10,892) bail and banned from leaving Taiwan until August 2023. He later admitted to violating the Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act and agreed to pay a fine of NT$1.2 million.

Huang, 52, has won the “Best Host in a Variety Program” award six times and the “Best Host in a Reality or Game Program” award once at the Golden Bell Awards since 2000.