Ex-employee of Lands Department charged with using false written statement in internal investigation
2021-3-25
A retired Assistant Manager of the Lands Department was yesterday (March 24) charged by the ICAC with using a written statement of a colleague which contained a false material particular to mislead the department in an internal investigation against a Squatter Control Officer conducted by him.
Lam Chi-wai, 61, faces one count of agent using a document with intent to deceive the principal, contrary to Section 9(3) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
The defendant will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (March 26) for plea.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offence.
At the material time, the defendant was an Assistant Manager of the Lands Department posted to its Squatter Control / Kowloon, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing Office.
The working hours of Assistant Managers and Squatter Control Officers started at 8:30 a.m. while that of frontline workers, including Artisans, started at 8 a.m. A Squatter Control Officer, who took turn to report early duty at 7:45 a.m. to oversee the attendance of frontline workers, would be entitled to claim time off in lieu.
Upon Lands Department’s receipt of complaints in early August 2019, the defendant was instructed to conduct an internal investigation into allegations that a Squatter Control Officer had claimed time off in lieu for two days in July 2019 without performing any early duty.
The charge alleges that on August 20, 2019, the defendant used a written statement of an Artisan which contained a false statement, namely the Artisan recalled having seen the Squatter Control Officer under internal investigation in the office at about 8 a.m. on the two days in question, to mislead the Lands Department.
The Lands Department 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 tomorrow.
Lam Chi-wai, 61, faces one count of agent using a document with intent to deceive the principal, contrary to Section 9(3) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
The defendant will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (March 26) for plea.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offence.
At the material time, the defendant was an Assistant Manager of the Lands Department posted to its Squatter Control / Kowloon, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing Office.
The working hours of Assistant Managers and Squatter Control Officers started at 8:30 a.m. while that of frontline workers, including Artisans, started at 8 a.m. A Squatter Control Officer, who took turn to report early duty at 7:45 a.m. to oversee the attendance of frontline workers, would be entitled to claim time off in lieu.
Upon Lands Department’s receipt of complaints in early August 2019, the defendant was instructed to conduct an internal investigation into allegations that a Squatter Control Officer had claimed time off in lieu for two days in July 2019 without performing any early duty.
The charge alleges that on August 20, 2019, the defendant used a written statement of an Artisan which contained a false statement, namely the Artisan recalled having seen the Squatter Control Officer under internal investigation in the office at about 8 a.m. on the two days in question, to mislead the Lands Department.
The Lands Department 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 tomorrow.