A defeated candidate of the 2003 Kwun Tong District Council (DC) Election, charged by the ICAC, was today (Thursday) sentenced at Kwun Tong Magistracy for using false receipts to support his return on election expenses.

The defendant, 27, was fined $15,000 by Magistrate Mr Johnny Chan after being found guilty today of one count of using false instruments.

The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offence.

The court heard that the defendant was a candidate of the Kwun Tong DC Election. He was defeated in the election which took place on November 23, 2003.

Pursuant to Section 37 of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance, each candidate of the DC Election must lodge with the Chief Electoral Officer of the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) an election expenses return within the prescribed period.

On December 24, 2003, an election return signed by the defendant was submitted to the REO.

In the election return, the defendant used three receipts for a total of $10,475 purportedly issued by a printing company.

ICAC investigation revealed that the receipts were false.

The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Giles Surman, assisted by ICAC officer Jennie Sum.