Landscape Architect of Housing Department sentenced for misconduct
2007-10-26
A Landscape Architect of the Housing Department (HD), charged by the ICAC, was today (Friday) sentenced at the District Court for misconduct in public office in relation to the recommendation of landscape materials used in HD projects.
Paul Wong Kwong-shun, 54, was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.
In sentencing, Judge Patrick Li Hon-leung said the offence of misconduct in public office committed by the defendant was a serious one, and that his failure to declare a conflict of interest intentionally might undermine the credibility of public servants .
The defendant was earlier found guilty of one count of misconduct in public office.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the offence of misconduct in public office.
The court heard that at the time of the offence, the defendant was posted to the Landscape Group of the HD's Development and Construction Division.
On July 7, 1999, the defendant introduced a close personal friend to set up Nikka Building Materials Limited (Nikka) with a businessman.
Between January 25, 2000 and September 2, 2001, the defendant recommended using landscape materials of a certain brand supplied by Nikka in four HD projects worth over $507,000 in total.
The defendant had failed to declare a conflict of interest arising from his close personal relationship with his friend, who was a director and shareholder of Nikka.
The defendant had given Nikka an unfair advantage over other suppliers by recommending the landscape materials concerned to be used in HD projects, the court heard.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Newman Wong, assisted by ICAC officer Jonathan Ho.
Paul Wong Kwong-shun, 54, was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.
In sentencing, Judge Patrick Li Hon-leung said the offence of misconduct in public office committed by the defendant was a serious one, and that his failure to declare a conflict of interest intentionally might undermine the credibility of public servants .
The defendant was earlier found guilty of one count of misconduct in public office.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the offence of misconduct in public office.
The court heard that at the time of the offence, the defendant was posted to the Landscape Group of the HD's Development and Construction Division.
On July 7, 1999, the defendant introduced a close personal friend to set up Nikka Building Materials Limited (Nikka) with a businessman.
Between January 25, 2000 and September 2, 2001, the defendant recommended using landscape materials of a certain brand supplied by Nikka in four HD projects worth over $507,000 in total.
The defendant had failed to declare a conflict of interest arising from his close personal relationship with his friend, who was a director and shareholder of Nikka.
The defendant had given Nikka an unfair advantage over other suppliers by recommending the landscape materials concerned to be used in HD projects, the court heard.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Newman Wong, assisted by ICAC officer Jonathan Ho.