Executive Officer of HAD charged with false claim of time-off over medical treatment
2021-8-16
An Acting Senior Executive Officer (SEO) of the Home Affairs Department (HAD) was charged by the ICAC today (August 16) with using “Application for Time-off” forms to mislead the HAD that she had visited a Chinese medical clinic for consultation and treatment in six afternoons during office hours while in fact had attended hobby classes on those occasions.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint referred by the HAD. Upon completion of the investigation, the ICAC sought legal advice from the Department of Justice, which advised charges be laid against the Acting SEO.
Fu San, 41, faces six counts of agent using document with intent to deceive her principal, contrary to Section 9(3) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. She has been released on ICAC bail, pending her appearance in the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts this Wednesday (August 18) for plea.
At the material time, the defendant was an Acting SEO posted to Wong Tai Sin District Office of the HAD. She was responsible for providing secretarial support to Wong Tai Sin District Council.
According to the Civil Service Regulations, government officers are allowed to take time-off from duty for visiting clinics for approved treatment, examination or consultation. A government officer of the HAD taking time-off from duty under the regulation should seek prior approval from his or her supervisor and complete an application form upon resumption of duty.
The charges allege that the defendant, with intent to deceive her principal, used six sets of “Application for Time-off” forms, which contained false or erroneous statements that she had taken time-off in the afternoon on six dates between November 30, 2018 and June 17, 2020 for visiting a Chinese medicine clinic for consultation and treatment, and which to her knowledge were intended to mislead the government.
ICAC enquiries revealed that the defendant visited the Chinese medicine clinic in the early evening on five of the aforesaid dates, but did not visit it on the remaining date. She had allegedly attended hobby classes in the afternoon of the six dates concerned.
The HAD has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
An ICAC spokesperson said the Commission attaches great importance to civil service integrity. The ICAC, in collaboration with the Civil Service Bureau, provides integrity training and an online learning platform for government officers of different ranks to strengthen their understanding of the anti-bribery law and related integrity issues. The Commission will continue to join hands with bureaux and departments to promote a clean culture across the civil service.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint referred by the HAD. Upon completion of the investigation, the ICAC sought legal advice from the Department of Justice, which advised charges be laid against the Acting SEO.
Fu San, 41, faces six counts of agent using document with intent to deceive her principal, contrary to Section 9(3) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. She has been released on ICAC bail, pending her appearance in the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts this Wednesday (August 18) for plea.
At the material time, the defendant was an Acting SEO posted to Wong Tai Sin District Office of the HAD. She was responsible for providing secretarial support to Wong Tai Sin District Council.
According to the Civil Service Regulations, government officers are allowed to take time-off from duty for visiting clinics for approved treatment, examination or consultation. A government officer of the HAD taking time-off from duty under the regulation should seek prior approval from his or her supervisor and complete an application form upon resumption of duty.
The charges allege that the defendant, with intent to deceive her principal, used six sets of “Application for Time-off” forms, which contained false or erroneous statements that she had taken time-off in the afternoon on six dates between November 30, 2018 and June 17, 2020 for visiting a Chinese medicine clinic for consultation and treatment, and which to her knowledge were intended to mislead the government.
ICAC enquiries revealed that the defendant visited the Chinese medicine clinic in the early evening on five of the aforesaid dates, but did not visit it on the remaining date. She had allegedly attended hobby classes in the afternoon of the six dates concerned.
The HAD has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
An ICAC spokesperson said the Commission attaches great importance to civil service integrity. The ICAC, in collaboration with the Civil Service Bureau, provides integrity training and an online learning platform for government officers of different ranks to strengthen their understanding of the anti-bribery law and related integrity issues. The Commission will continue to join hands with bureaux and departments to promote a clean culture across the civil service.