A woman admitted at Eastern Court today (Thursday) that she had impersonated an ICAC officer and made false corruption allegations against an engineer.

Fung Yuen-yee, 30, unemployed, pleaded guilty to two counts of falsely pretending to Lee Ming-chu of Kin Lee Ko Construction Co. Ltd. (Kin Lee Ko) that she was an ICAC officer on November 24 and 25, 1999.

Magistrate Mr Ian Candy fined Fung $20,000.

In sentencing, the magistrate said that the defendant had made a serious allegation against the victim without base, and that she had done a foolish act, without considering the consequence.

The court heard that Lai Yung-sang, an engineer employed by Kin Lee Ko, was an acquaintance of Fung.

On November 24, 1999, Fung telephoned Kin Lee Ko and requested to speak to the director. She was directed to the company accountant Lee Ming Chu.

The defendant identified herself as an ICAC officer surnamed Ng, and alleged that Lai had taken bribes from suppliers and sub-contractors.

Fung called Lee again the following day, also claiming that she was an ICAC officer. She asked Lee if the company would take any action against Lai.

The defendant however refused to leave her full name and contact number. She told Lee to telephone the ICAC hotline for details.

Inquiries revealed that Lai was not a subject of any investigation. Kin Lee Ko also conducted an internal inquiry on Lai and found no evidence to substantiate Fung's claims.

The court was told that the defendant and Lai were known to each other.

The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Lee Kwok-kwan.