A Clerical Assistant of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), charged by the ICAC, admitted at the West Kowloon Magistracy today (April 21) that he had deceived the department into paying him travel allowances totalling over $3,500 by furnishing a false home address.

Au Chi-wang, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.

Magistrate Miss Lau Suk-han remanded the defendant in the custody of the Correctional Services Department until May 4 for sentence, pending a background report.

The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offence.

The court heard that under the Civil Service Regulations, officers posted to “designated offices” but not residing in the same region are eligible to apply for Supplementary Travel Allowance (STA).

The defendant was a Clerical Assistant of the LCSD. In February 2017, he was posted to Mui Wo Swimming Pool on Lantau Island, which was a “designated office”.

In April 2018, the defendant changed his home address reported to the LCSD from an address in Tung Chung to another one in Wan Chai, the court heard.

Afterwards, he submitted five forms claiming for STA totalling over $3,500 for journeys taken between the Wan Chai flat and Mui Wo Swimming Pool between May and September 2018.

The court heard that the defendant was living in the Tung Chung flat at the material time hence was not eligible to apply for STA.

The LCSD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.

The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Kevin Lam.