Five alleged of bribing electors in Shatin DC by-election
2010-1-13
Five persons, including a defeated candidate of the 2009 Shatin District Council (DC) By-election (Tai Wai Constituency), have been charged for conspiring to bribe registered electors and engage in other corrupt and illegal conduct under the Elections (Co rrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO) in relation to the said by-election.
The defendants are: Lee York-fai, 42, a doctor and a defeated candidate of the above-mentioned by-election; Chiang Sai-cheong, 53; Simon Liang Chun-yip, 40; and Yu Wai-chi, 36, all office bearers of Mei Lin Community and Welfare Association (the Associati on) at the time of the alleged offences; and Cheung Shing-kai, 43, a company director.
The defendants face a total of 10 conspiracy charges under the ECICO –'96 five of which alleging corrupt conduct while the remaining alleging illegal conduct.
The defendants will appear in Shatin Magistracy tomorrow (Thursday) morning for mention, pending transfer to the District Court.
One of the charges alleges the defendants of conspiring together and with other persons unknown to provide or meet all or part of the costs of providing food, drinks and/or entertainment at dinner banquets held at a seafood restaurant for the purpose of i nducing the said electors to vote for Lee.
Three other charges allege Lee, Chiang, Liang and Yu of offering food and drinks for breakfast, free anti-flu injections, or one-day local tours to electors for the same purpose.
Lee, Chiang and Cheung are further alleged of offering electors $100 coupons for settling medical expenses at Lee’s clinic for the same purpose.
Meanwhile, Lee, Chiang, Liang and Yu face one count of conspiracy to publish a printed election advertisement, namely, a leaflet purportedly issued by the Association, which failed to meet certain requirements.
Lee and Liang face a similar charge in relation to two books on health tips, while Lee alone is further charged with one similar charge in relation to two leaflets.
Chiang, Liang and Yu, being persons other than a candidate or a candidate’s election expenses agent, face one count of conspiracy to engage in illegal conduct by incurring election expenses in relation to the production expenses of reusable bags.
Lee alone faces one count of incurring election expenses exceeding prescribed amount.
The alleged offences took place last year between early January and the polling day on March 29.
The defendants have been granted ICAC bail, pending their court appearance tomorrow.
The defendants are: Lee York-fai, 42, a doctor and a defeated candidate of the above-mentioned by-election; Chiang Sai-cheong, 53; Simon Liang Chun-yip, 40; and Yu Wai-chi, 36, all office bearers of Mei Lin Community and Welfare Association (the Associati on) at the time of the alleged offences; and Cheung Shing-kai, 43, a company director.
The defendants face a total of 10 conspiracy charges under the ECICO –'96 five of which alleging corrupt conduct while the remaining alleging illegal conduct.
The defendants will appear in Shatin Magistracy tomorrow (Thursday) morning for mention, pending transfer to the District Court.
One of the charges alleges the defendants of conspiring together and with other persons unknown to provide or meet all or part of the costs of providing food, drinks and/or entertainment at dinner banquets held at a seafood restaurant for the purpose of i nducing the said electors to vote for Lee.
Three other charges allege Lee, Chiang, Liang and Yu of offering food and drinks for breakfast, free anti-flu injections, or one-day local tours to electors for the same purpose.
Lee, Chiang and Cheung are further alleged of offering electors $100 coupons for settling medical expenses at Lee’s clinic for the same purpose.
Meanwhile, Lee, Chiang, Liang and Yu face one count of conspiracy to publish a printed election advertisement, namely, a leaflet purportedly issued by the Association, which failed to meet certain requirements.
Lee and Liang face a similar charge in relation to two books on health tips, while Lee alone is further charged with one similar charge in relation to two leaflets.
Chiang, Liang and Yu, being persons other than a candidate or a candidate’s election expenses agent, face one count of conspiracy to engage in illegal conduct by incurring election expenses in relation to the production expenses of reusable bags.
Lee alone faces one count of incurring election expenses exceeding prescribed amount.
The alleged offences took place last year between early January and the polling day on March 29.
The defendants have been granted ICAC bail, pending their court appearance tomorrow.