Solicitor guilty of perversion over securities broker's theft of shares
2007-3-29
A solicitor, charged by the ICAC, was today (Thursday) convicted at the District Court of perverting the course of justice in relation to investigations by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Police over the theft of shares by a securities broker.
Emily Ha Pon-lin, 41, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice.
Deputy Judge Timothy Casewell adjourned the case until April 17 for mitigation and sentence, pending a background report. The defendant was granted cash bail of $30,000.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the SFC. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offence.
The court heard that in early 2004, securities broker Ng Ting-shag had misappropriated shares of a client.
The client lodged complaints with the SFC and the Police against Ng, and engaged Ha as her legal representative to deal with the matter.
Between February 16 and 20, 2004 and Ha and Ng had conspired to pervert the course of public justice by inciting the complainant to withdraw the complaints made to the SFC and the Police against Ng, the court was told.
Ng, 57, who was also charged for his role in the case, had pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft, and one of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice. He will also be sentenced on April 17 after mitigation.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Shaun Kelly, assisted by ICAC officer Bonnie Wong.
Emily Ha Pon-lin, 41, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice.
Deputy Judge Timothy Casewell adjourned the case until April 17 for mitigation and sentence, pending a background report. The defendant was granted cash bail of $30,000.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the SFC. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offence.
The court heard that in early 2004, securities broker Ng Ting-shag had misappropriated shares of a client.
The client lodged complaints with the SFC and the Police against Ng, and engaged Ha as her legal representative to deal with the matter.
Between February 16 and 20, 2004 and Ha and Ng had conspired to pervert the course of public justice by inciting the complainant to withdraw the complaints made to the SFC and the Police against Ng, the court was told.
Ng, 57, who was also charged for his role in the case, had pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft, and one of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice. He will also be sentenced on April 17 after mitigation.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Shaun Kelly, assisted by ICAC officer Bonnie Wong.