Man charged by ICAC for offering $10,000 bribe to District Councillor
2026-10-8
A man was charged by the ICAC yesterday (October 7) for allegedly offering a bribe of $10,000 to a District Council (DC) member, intending to induce the latter, in his capacity as a DC member, to threaten a church pastor into meeting with him to assist with a personal matter. The District Councillor refused the bribe and reported the incident to the DC.
Fang Zhanchong, 80, faces one count of offering an advantage to a public servant, contrary to section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. The defendant was released on bail, pending his appearance at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (October 9) for plea.
In early July 2026, the defendant attended the “Meet the Public” scheme of the DC and sought assistance from Yau Tsim Mong DC member Lee Ka-hin. He subsequently visited Lee’s ward office and requested that a folder be passed to the District Councillor. The folder contained $10,000 in cash and a letter signed by the defendant, requesting Lee to instruct his assistants to threaten the pastor into meeting with the defendant. Lee immediately reported the matter to the DC. The ICAC launched an investigation after receiving a report.
The charge alleges that on August 3, 2026, the defendant offered a bribe of $10,000 to Lee, a member of the Yau Tsim Mong DC, as a reward for Lee, in his capacity as a public servant, to instruct his assistants to locate a pastor and facilitate a meeting between the defendant and that pastor.
Lee’s ward office and the church concerned rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
Fang Zhanchong, 80, faces one count of offering an advantage to a public servant, contrary to section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. The defendant was released on bail, pending his appearance at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (October 9) for plea.
In early July 2026, the defendant attended the “Meet the Public” scheme of the DC and sought assistance from Yau Tsim Mong DC member Lee Ka-hin. He subsequently visited Lee’s ward office and requested that a folder be passed to the District Councillor. The folder contained $10,000 in cash and a letter signed by the defendant, requesting Lee to instruct his assistants to threaten the pastor into meeting with the defendant. Lee immediately reported the matter to the DC. The ICAC launched an investigation after receiving a report.
The charge alleges that on August 3, 2026, the defendant offered a bribe of $10,000 to Lee, a member of the Yau Tsim Mong DC, as a reward for Lee, in his capacity as a public servant, to instruct his assistants to locate a pastor and facilitate a meeting between the defendant and that pastor.
Lee’s ward office and the church concerned rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.