Then Associate Director of SFC charged by ICAC for allegedly advising subjects to cope with market manipulation probe further faces MIPO charge
2025-11-7
A then Associate Director of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) was earlier charged by the ICAC with conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice by allegedly providing advice to subjects of an SFC investigation into suspected market manipulation in relation to a listed company on how to conduct themselves in the probe, including destroying potential evidence. Pursuant to the legal advice of the Department of Justice upon the ICAC’s further investigation, the defendant was laid with an additional charge of misconduct in public office (MIPO) when the case was brought to the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts for mention today (November 7).
Deng Yingxia, 49, then Associate Director of the SFC posted to Market Misconduct Team of Enforcement Division, was earlier charged with one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice, contrary to the Common Law and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
Magistrate Mr Ko Wai-hung today allowed the prosecution’s application for amending the indictment to lay an additional charge of MIPO, contrary to the Common Law. The case was adjourned to December 30 for mention. The prosecution will apply for transfer of the case to the District Court. The defendant was granted bail.
The ICAC investigation stemmed from a corruption complaint. After investigation, the ICAC arrested the defendant in an operation jointly carried out with the SFC in April 2024.
At the material time, the SFC was investigating suspected false trading and market manipulation activities in relation to China Gas Industry Investment Holdings Company Limited (the Market Manipulation Investigation). The defendant had access to confidential information of the Market Manipulation Investigation, although she did not take part in investigative work. She was not allowed to divulge such confidential information to unauthorised parties.
The additional charge alleged that between July 15 and 28, 2022, the defendant, in the course of or in relation to her public office, without reasonable excuse or justification, had wilfully misconducted herself.
It is alleged that the defendant had failed to declare to the SFC her conflict of interest or disclose to the SFC her social contact with four persons who were subjects of the Market Manipulation Investigation, and had advised them on how to do in the face of the Market Manipulation Investigation with a view to frustrating possible SFC investigative actions.
The SFC rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Jason Tsang.
Deng Yingxia, 49, then Associate Director of the SFC posted to Market Misconduct Team of Enforcement Division, was earlier charged with one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice, contrary to the Common Law and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
Magistrate Mr Ko Wai-hung today allowed the prosecution’s application for amending the indictment to lay an additional charge of MIPO, contrary to the Common Law. The case was adjourned to December 30 for mention. The prosecution will apply for transfer of the case to the District Court. The defendant was granted bail.
The ICAC investigation stemmed from a corruption complaint. After investigation, the ICAC arrested the defendant in an operation jointly carried out with the SFC in April 2024.
At the material time, the SFC was investigating suspected false trading and market manipulation activities in relation to China Gas Industry Investment Holdings Company Limited (the Market Manipulation Investigation). The defendant had access to confidential information of the Market Manipulation Investigation, although she did not take part in investigative work. She was not allowed to divulge such confidential information to unauthorised parties.
The additional charge alleged that between July 15 and 28, 2022, the defendant, in the course of or in relation to her public office, without reasonable excuse or justification, had wilfully misconducted herself.
It is alleged that the defendant had failed to declare to the SFC her conflict of interest or disclose to the SFC her social contact with four persons who were subjects of the Market Manipulation Investigation, and had advised them on how to do in the face of the Market Manipulation Investigation with a view to frustrating possible SFC investigative actions.
The SFC rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Jason Tsang.