Ex-Senior Electrical and Mechanical Engineer of EMSD charged by ICAC for accepting $360,000 unauthorised loans from subordinates

2024-9-11

The ICAC today (September 11) charged a former Senior Electrical and Mechanical Engineer of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) for allegedly accepting unauthorised loans totalling over $360,000 from four subordinates in breach of the anti-bribery law.

Chan Kar-keung, 50, former Senior Electrical and Mechanical Engineer of the EMSD, faces 10 counts of prescribed officer accepting an advantage, contrary to section 3 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO). He was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts on Friday (September 13) for plea.

The defendant joined the EMSD in 1998 and was promoted to Senior Electrical and Mechanical Engineer in 2014. At the material time, he was posted to the Municipal Sector (HK) Sub-Division of the EMSD.

The charges allege that on various occasions between September 2022 and February 2023, the defendant, without the general or special permission of the Chief Executive, accepted 10 loans totalling over $360,000 from four subordinates.

The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that on different occasions within half a year, the defendant represented to the four subordinates that he was required to borrow money to meet urgent needs in view of his relatives’ emergency situations. Individual loan ranged from $10,000 to $150,000.

However, investigation revealed that the defendant had only repaid about $50,000 to one of the subordinates and he had never made any repayment to the three other subordinates. The defendant resigned and left the EMSD in May 2023.

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

The ICAC reminds civil servants to uphold integrity and exercise financial prudence at all times. Civil servants should strictly adhere to the POBO provisions in relation to the acceptance of advantages, including loans. Any civil servant who illegally solicits or accepts loans from supervisee might be prosecuted.


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