Clerical Assistant of LCSD charged for travel allowance fraud
2019-12-27
A Clerical Assistant of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has been charged by the ICAC today (December 27) with deceiving the department into paying him travel allowances totalling over $3,500 by furnishing a false home address.
Au Chi-wang, 44, faces one count of fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.
The defendant will appear at the West Kowloon Magistracy next Tuesday (December 31) for plea.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offence.
Under the Civil Service Regulations, officers posted to “designated offices” but not residing in the same region are eligible to apply for Supplementary Travel Allowance (STA).
At the material time, the defendant was a Clerical Assistant of the LCSD posted to Mui Wo Swimming Pool on Lantau Island, which was a “designated office”.
The charge alleges that between April 24 and December 21, 2018, the defendant had falsely furnished information in five STA claim forms that an address in Wanchai was his home address, and that he had taken journeys between that address and his place of work at Mui Wo Swimming Pool and paid for the travelling expenses incurred.
It is alleged that the defendant had submitted the five forms as supporting documents in respect of his STA claims, and with intent to defraud, induced the LCSD to approve his STA applications and pay him totalling over $3,500, which resulted in benefit to him and prejudice to the LCSD.
The LCSD has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance next Tuesday.
Au Chi-wang, 44, faces one count of fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.
The defendant will appear at the West Kowloon Magistracy next Tuesday (December 31) for plea.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offence.
Under the Civil Service Regulations, officers posted to “designated offices” but not residing in the same region are eligible to apply for Supplementary Travel Allowance (STA).
At the material time, the defendant was a Clerical Assistant of the LCSD posted to Mui Wo Swimming Pool on Lantau Island, which was a “designated office”.
The charge alleges that between April 24 and December 21, 2018, the defendant had falsely furnished information in five STA claim forms that an address in Wanchai was his home address, and that he had taken journeys between that address and his place of work at Mui Wo Swimming Pool and paid for the travelling expenses incurred.
It is alleged that the defendant had submitted the five forms as supporting documents in respect of his STA claims, and with intent to defraud, induced the LCSD to approve his STA applications and pay him totalling over $3,500, which resulted in benefit to him and prejudice to the LCSD.
The LCSD has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance next Tuesday.