The ICAC has charged a Taxation Officer of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) for alleged misconduct in public office by recording particulars of 13,400 taxpayers for his future personal use.

Chu King-kwok, 59, will appear in Eastern Magistracy at 9:30 am on Friday (July 20) on one count of misconduct in public office, contrary to Common Law.

The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the alleged offence of misconduct in public office.

The charge alleges that between April 1, 2004 and November 16, 2006, the defendant, in the course of his public office, had wilfully and intentionally culpably misconducted himself by recording particulars of taxpayers for his future personal use.

ICAC enquiries revealed that the defendant, who was attached to the Document Processing Centre of IRD responsible for sorting incoming mails from taxpayers, had allegedly copied on papers personal data of about 13,400 taxpayers, including their names, ide ntity card numbers, business registration numbers, addresses and telephone numbers, and had taken them away from his office.

IRD has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.

The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance on Friday.