Former executive gets 18 months for perverting justice
2013-3-25
A former senior executive of a securities firm, charged by the ICAC, was today (Monday) sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment at the Eastern Magistracy for doing a series of acts intended to pervert the course of public justice in influencing a prosecution witness due to give evidence in a District Court trial involving an ICAC case.
Chong Choong-leong, 45, a former managing director of a securities firm, was earlier found guilty of one count of doing an act tending and intended to pervert the course of public justice, contrary to Common Law.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mrs Adriana C Tse said the offence of perversion was very serious in nature, warranting an immediate custodial sentence.
The court heard that Poh Po-lian, a major shareholder of listed CY Foundation Group Limited (CY Foundation), was a prosecution witness in a trial in the District Court against three persons, arising from a corruption investigation conducted by the ICAC.
Shortly before Poh gave evidence for the prosecution, on January 31, 2012, Chong phoned Poh with a view to discussing with him the shares transaction of CY Foundation. However, Poh did not enter into such discussion with Chong.
On February 6, 2012, Chong sent a mobile phone text message to ask Poh to “be lenient”. He felt that the message had impact on his willingness in giving evidence.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel John Marray, assisted by ICAC officer Fiona Wan.
Chong Choong-leong, 45, a former managing director of a securities firm, was earlier found guilty of one count of doing an act tending and intended to pervert the course of public justice, contrary to Common Law.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mrs Adriana C Tse said the offence of perversion was very serious in nature, warranting an immediate custodial sentence.
The court heard that Poh Po-lian, a major shareholder of listed CY Foundation Group Limited (CY Foundation), was a prosecution witness in a trial in the District Court against three persons, arising from a corruption investigation conducted by the ICAC.
Shortly before Poh gave evidence for the prosecution, on January 31, 2012, Chong phoned Poh with a view to discussing with him the shares transaction of CY Foundation. However, Poh did not enter into such discussion with Chong.
On February 6, 2012, Chong sent a mobile phone text message to ask Poh to “be lenient”. He felt that the message had impact on his willingness in giving evidence.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel John Marray, assisted by ICAC officer Fiona Wan.