Six months’ jail for businessman charged by ICAC for offering bribe to PolyU SPEED’s lecturer over admission
2026-1-28
A businessman, charged by the ICAC, was today (January 28) sentenced to six months’ imprisonment at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts after pleading guilty to having offered a bribe of $50,000 to a senior lecturer of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s (PolyU) School of Professional Education and Executive Development (PolyU SPEED) in a bid to secure a top-up degree programme admission. The offer was turned down by the senior lecturer.
Kang Jie, 39, businessman, pleaded guilty to one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Ms Vivian Ho Wai-han remarked that the case was serious in nature, adding that what the defendant did had undermined the rule of law, fairness and reputation of Hong Kong. The magistrate also made a confiscation order against the $50,000-bribe in the present case.
PolyU SPEED is a school under the PolyU’s College of Professional and Continuing Education offering a wide range of self-financed articulation bachelor’s degree programmes. Programme applicants are required to possess the relevant academic qualifications and attain a required English qualification. Applicants not possessing the relevant English qualification are required to attend an English interview, passing which will be considered as having attained the English qualification.
The court heard that the defendant intended to apply for admission to a self-financed bachelor’s degree programme of PolyU SPEED and attended the English interviews in late June and late October 2024 but failed both interviews. During the period, he had sent numerous mobile phone messages to a senior lecturer who participated in hosting the two interviews and waited for the senior lecturer near the campus, requesting the senior lecturer to assist in his admission to the programme. His requests were all turned down by the senior lecturer.
At night on November 4, 2024, the defendant shoved a pile of banknotes in the total sum of $50,000 into the pocket of the senior lecturer’s jacket when he got off from work and requested the latter to accept his programme application. The senior lecturer rejected the offer, noting that bribery was illegal and reminded the defendant not to breach the law, after which the defendant ran away. The senior lecturer reported the matter to his supervisor immediately and lodged a complaint with the ICAC on the following morning.
The PolyU rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Timothy Chen, assisted by ICAC officer Kayden Yuen.
Integrity in the academic circle is the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s development into an international hub for tertiary education. Applicants are reminded not to offer any bribes to staff members of education institutions in exchange for their assistance or favour. The ICAC does not tolerate any acts undermining integrity of the education sector. If such acts are found, the Commission will follow up on them in a serious manner and take resolute enforcement actions.
Kang Jie, 39, businessman, pleaded guilty to one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Ms Vivian Ho Wai-han remarked that the case was serious in nature, adding that what the defendant did had undermined the rule of law, fairness and reputation of Hong Kong. The magistrate also made a confiscation order against the $50,000-bribe in the present case.
PolyU SPEED is a school under the PolyU’s College of Professional and Continuing Education offering a wide range of self-financed articulation bachelor’s degree programmes. Programme applicants are required to possess the relevant academic qualifications and attain a required English qualification. Applicants not possessing the relevant English qualification are required to attend an English interview, passing which will be considered as having attained the English qualification.
The court heard that the defendant intended to apply for admission to a self-financed bachelor’s degree programme of PolyU SPEED and attended the English interviews in late June and late October 2024 but failed both interviews. During the period, he had sent numerous mobile phone messages to a senior lecturer who participated in hosting the two interviews and waited for the senior lecturer near the campus, requesting the senior lecturer to assist in his admission to the programme. His requests were all turned down by the senior lecturer.
At night on November 4, 2024, the defendant shoved a pile of banknotes in the total sum of $50,000 into the pocket of the senior lecturer’s jacket when he got off from work and requested the latter to accept his programme application. The senior lecturer rejected the offer, noting that bribery was illegal and reminded the defendant not to breach the law, after which the defendant ran away. The senior lecturer reported the matter to his supervisor immediately and lodged a complaint with the ICAC on the following morning.
The PolyU rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Timothy Chen, assisted by ICAC officer Kayden Yuen.
Integrity in the academic circle is the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s development into an international hub for tertiary education. Applicants are reminded not to offer any bribes to staff members of education institutions in exchange for their assistance or favour. The ICAC does not tolerate any acts undermining integrity of the education sector. If such acts are found, the Commission will follow up on them in a serious manner and take resolute enforcement actions.