Policeman volunteering for DC member charged with soliciting rewards for handling dispute
2021-6-28
A Police Constable, who engaged in volunteer work with a District Council (DC) member, was charged by the ICAC today (June 28) with soliciting monetary rewards from three persons who sought assistance from the DC member concerning a tenancy dispute.
Chan Ka-lam, 37, faces three counts of agent soliciting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Following an ICAC investigation arose from a referral by the Police, the defendant was charged with bribery pursuant to legal advice sought from the Department of Justice, and will appear in the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday (June 30) for plea.
At the material time, the defendant, a Police Constable who was on leave, engaged in unpaid volunteer work for Kwun Tung District Councillor Tse Suk-chun. On October 20, 2020, Tse arranged the defendant to assist a landlord of an industrial unit to handle a tenancy dispute with a tenant and an estate agent.
The charges allege that on October 22, 2020, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, solicited $800 each from the landlord, tenant and estate agent, totalling $2,400, as an inducement to or reward for the defendant’s assistance in handling the tenancy dispute involving the trio.
The Police and Tse’s DC Office have rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance on Wednesday.
Chan Ka-lam, 37, faces three counts of agent soliciting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Following an ICAC investigation arose from a referral by the Police, the defendant was charged with bribery pursuant to legal advice sought from the Department of Justice, and will appear in the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday (June 30) for plea.
At the material time, the defendant, a Police Constable who was on leave, engaged in unpaid volunteer work for Kwun Tung District Councillor Tse Suk-chun. On October 20, 2020, Tse arranged the defendant to assist a landlord of an industrial unit to handle a tenancy dispute with a tenant and an estate agent.
The charges allege that on October 22, 2020, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, solicited $800 each from the landlord, tenant and estate agent, totalling $2,400, as an inducement to or reward for the defendant’s assistance in handling the tenancy dispute involving the trio.
The Police and Tse’s DC Office have rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance on Wednesday.