Housing Department officer jailed for making false reports to ICAC
2006-2-28
An officer of the Housing Department (HD), charged by the ICAC, was today (Tuesday) sentenced to six months’ imprisonment at Kowloon City Magistracy for fabricating graft reports against her superior.
Chau Wai-yee, 44, an Housing Officer of HD, was earlier found guilty on two counts of making a false report to ICAC officers, contrary to Section 13B(a) of the ICAC Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Douglas Yau said an immediate custodial sentence must be imposed to serve as a deterrent, in view of the serious offences.
The court heard that at the time of the offences, Chau was posted at the Registration & Civil Service Unit of HD, which was headed by a Housing Manager.
On October 5, 2004, Chau lodged a complaint at the then ICAC Regional Office (Kowloon Central).
She alleged that the Housing Manager had solicited from her $11,000, so that he would ensure an inquiry into her handling of a matter involving the issuing of a false minute sheet would be resolved in her favour.
The court also heard that on November 9, 2004, Chau lodged another report at the ICAC Operations Department, alleging that the Housing Manager had solicited from her an advantage of an unspecified amount as a reward for not opposing her application for de partmental training sponsorship.
ICAC investigation later found that both reports lodged by Chau were false.
An ICAC spokesman warned that making malicious corruption complaints against innocent people was a serious offence.
However, the spokesman assured the public that complainants acting in good faith would not be subject to prosecution even if their complaints turned out to be unsubstantiated.
"Members of the public who genuinely suspect that there were corrupt activities are always welcome to come forward.
"The ICAC will conduct thorough investigations into each pursuable corruption complaint," the spokesman added.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Jonathan Man, assisted by ICAC officer William Lam.
Chau Wai-yee, 44, an Housing Officer of HD, was earlier found guilty on two counts of making a false report to ICAC officers, contrary to Section 13B(a) of the ICAC Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Douglas Yau said an immediate custodial sentence must be imposed to serve as a deterrent, in view of the serious offences.
The court heard that at the time of the offences, Chau was posted at the Registration & Civil Service Unit of HD, which was headed by a Housing Manager.
On October 5, 2004, Chau lodged a complaint at the then ICAC Regional Office (Kowloon Central).
She alleged that the Housing Manager had solicited from her $11,000, so that he would ensure an inquiry into her handling of a matter involving the issuing of a false minute sheet would be resolved in her favour.
The court also heard that on November 9, 2004, Chau lodged another report at the ICAC Operations Department, alleging that the Housing Manager had solicited from her an advantage of an unspecified amount as a reward for not opposing her application for de partmental training sponsorship.
ICAC investigation later found that both reports lodged by Chau were false.
An ICAC spokesman warned that making malicious corruption complaints against innocent people was a serious offence.
However, the spokesman assured the public that complainants acting in good faith would not be subject to prosecution even if their complaints turned out to be unsubstantiated.
"Members of the public who genuinely suspect that there were corrupt activities are always welcome to come forward.
"The ICAC will conduct thorough investigations into each pursuable corruption complaint," the spokesman added.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Jonathan Man, assisted by ICAC officer William Lam.