Ex-HAD employee admits using false medical certificates
2023-7-26
A former Project Assistant of the Home Affairs Department (HAD), charged by the ICAC, today (July 26) at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts admitted offences under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO) by using medical certificates containing false information to mislead the HAD that her sick leave was recommended by doctors.
Cheung Sin-yu, 26, pleaded guilty to two counts of agent using document with intent to deceive her principal, contrary to Section 9(3) the POBO.
Acting Principal Magistrate Mr David Cheung Chi-wai adjourned the case to August 9 for sentence. The defendant was granted bail.
At the material time, the defendant was employed by the HAD under Non-Civil Service Contract term as a Project Assistant. She was posted to Yuen Long District Office and was entitled to three days of paid sick leave each month.
The court heard that on July 4, 2022, the defendant sought approval for taking sick leave and was required to submit the relevant original medical certificate to the HAD. She subsequently submitted two medical certificates purportedly issued by a government doctor and a private doctor on the abovementioned date recommending her to take sick leave.
The ICAC investigation arose from a complaint. Enquiries revealed that the defendant only submitted to the HAD a copy of the medical certificate purportedly issued by the government doctor in the first place. When asked by the HAD to provide the relevant original document for verification, the defendant further submitted an original medical certificate purportedly issued by the private doctor.
ICAC enquiries also revealed that the two doctors did not provide any medical consultation to the defendant on July 4, 2022 and the two medical certificates were not issued by them.
The HAD, the Hospital Authority and the medical group the private doctor concerned worked for had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer David Ip.
Cheung Sin-yu, 26, pleaded guilty to two counts of agent using document with intent to deceive her principal, contrary to Section 9(3) the POBO.
Acting Principal Magistrate Mr David Cheung Chi-wai adjourned the case to August 9 for sentence. The defendant was granted bail.
At the material time, the defendant was employed by the HAD under Non-Civil Service Contract term as a Project Assistant. She was posted to Yuen Long District Office and was entitled to three days of paid sick leave each month.
The court heard that on July 4, 2022, the defendant sought approval for taking sick leave and was required to submit the relevant original medical certificate to the HAD. She subsequently submitted two medical certificates purportedly issued by a government doctor and a private doctor on the abovementioned date recommending her to take sick leave.
The ICAC investigation arose from a complaint. Enquiries revealed that the defendant only submitted to the HAD a copy of the medical certificate purportedly issued by the government doctor in the first place. When asked by the HAD to provide the relevant original document for verification, the defendant further submitted an original medical certificate purportedly issued by the private doctor.
ICAC enquiries also revealed that the two doctors did not provide any medical consultation to the defendant on July 4, 2022 and the two medical certificates were not issued by them.
The HAD, the Hospital Authority and the medical group the private doctor concerned worked for had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer David Ip.