A former managing editor of a local newspaper's racing section was today (Monday) charged by the ICAC for allegedly soliciting a monthly bribe payment of $7,000 and accepting advantages including $5,000 cash for securing an additional freelance job for a then subordinate.

Li Hin-choi, 33, former managing editor of the race section of The Sun Newspaper affiliated to the Oriental Press Group Limited, will appear in Kwun Tong Court at 9:30 am on Wednesday (March 1) to face three charges.

The ICAC investigated the case following the receipt of a complaint. The defendant was arrested in May last year after allegedly receiving a $5,000 bribe from his then subordinate during a meeting monitored by the ICAC.

During the investigation, the ICAC received full assistance from the media organisation concerned.

Li, while being employed by The Sun, was responsible for recruiting both permanent and freelance staff members for the racing section and making recommendations on their employment terms.

One of the charges alleged that on December 20, 1998, Li had solicited from Law Siu-cheong a monthly payment of $7,000 as a reward for offering Law a freelance columnist's job with The Sun.

Law was employed as an Information Researcher by The Sun and worked under Li.

The second charge alleged that on April 3, 1999, Li had accepted from Law an advantage of $3,490, which was a partial payment of shopping bills.

The third charge alleged that the defendant had accepted $5,000 cash on May 31, 1999 from Law.

Li has been released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance on Wednesday.