Ex-Postman charged by ICAC with fraud over outside work
2021-10-28
The ICAC yesterday (October 27) charged a former Postman for allegedly deceiving the Hongkong Post (HKPost) by falsely representing that he had not engaged in outside work and defrauding the HKPost of salary payments while he was absent from duty during the work-from-home period under the epidemic.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint referred by the HKPost. Upon completion of the investigation, the ICAC sought legal advice from the Department of Justice, which advised charges be laid against the former Postman.
Hui Siu-kei, 30, faces four charges – two of agent using document with intent to deceive his principal, contrary to Section 9(3) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance; and two of fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance. He was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance in the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (October 29) for plea.
In early February 2017, the defendant joined the HKPost as a Postman and was posted to the Aberdeen Delivery Office. Prior to joining the HKPost, he was a clubhouse officer of a fitness group.
In late February 2017, the defendant applied to the HKPost for undertaking outside work at the aforesaid fitness group in accordance with the Civil Service Regulations. The HKPost rejected his application in late March 2017 and subsequently conducted an investigation against him for allegedly taking up unauthorised paid outside work.
Two of the charges allege that on or about May 27 and June 4, 2020, the defendant, with intent to deceive his principal, used two memos which contained false, erroneous or defective statements that he has never engaged in any outside work after joining the HKPost, and which to his knowledge were intended to mislead the government.
The remaining two charges allege that on July 21 and 31, 2020, the defendant failed to report to the HKPost his absence from duty on those two days, and with intent to defraud, induced the HKPost to release him salary payments totalling over $1,200, which resulted in benefit to him and prejudice to the government.
Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the HKPost implemented a work-from-home arrangement intermittently between January and August 2020. All Postmen were required to standby at home and refrain from conducting private business or taking up outside work during office hours. But the defendant had allegedly worked at the abovementioned fitness group on July 21 and 31, 2020 during office hours.
HKPost has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint referred by the HKPost. Upon completion of the investigation, the ICAC sought legal advice from the Department of Justice, which advised charges be laid against the former Postman.
Hui Siu-kei, 30, faces four charges – two of agent using document with intent to deceive his principal, contrary to Section 9(3) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance; and two of fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance. He was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance in the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (October 29) for plea.
In early February 2017, the defendant joined the HKPost as a Postman and was posted to the Aberdeen Delivery Office. Prior to joining the HKPost, he was a clubhouse officer of a fitness group.
In late February 2017, the defendant applied to the HKPost for undertaking outside work at the aforesaid fitness group in accordance with the Civil Service Regulations. The HKPost rejected his application in late March 2017 and subsequently conducted an investigation against him for allegedly taking up unauthorised paid outside work.
Two of the charges allege that on or about May 27 and June 4, 2020, the defendant, with intent to deceive his principal, used two memos which contained false, erroneous or defective statements that he has never engaged in any outside work after joining the HKPost, and which to his knowledge were intended to mislead the government.
The remaining two charges allege that on July 21 and 31, 2020, the defendant failed to report to the HKPost his absence from duty on those two days, and with intent to defraud, induced the HKPost to release him salary payments totalling over $1,200, which resulted in benefit to him and prejudice to the government.
Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the HKPost implemented a work-from-home arrangement intermittently between January and August 2020. All Postmen were required to standby at home and refrain from conducting private business or taking up outside work during office hours. But the defendant had allegedly worked at the abovementioned fitness group on July 21 and 31, 2020 during office hours.
HKPost has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.