Woman charged by ICAC for offering bribe to LAD legal clerk over custody of grandchild
2026-5-21
A woman was charged by the ICAC yesterday (May 20) for allegedly offering a bribe of $10,000 to a legal clerk of the Legal Aid Department (LAD) for assistance in securing the custody of her grandchild.
Wen Congmei, 62, unemployed, faces one count of offering an advantage to public servant, contrary to section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. The defendant was released on bail, pending her appearance at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (May 22) for plea.
At the material time, the defendant’s son was an LAD aided-person regarding the legal proceedings concerning the custody of her grandson. The defendant maintained contact with a legal clerk of the LAD regarding the case.
The charge alleges that on September 4, 2025, the defendant offered a bribe of $10,000 to the LAD legal clerk as an inducement for assisting her son in the legal proceedings over the custody of her grandson.
It is alleged that the defendant handed over an envelope containing $10,000 in cash addressed to the LAD legal clerk, followed by a telephone call, requesting the legal clerk to grant her grandson’s custody to her son. The legal clerk reported the matter to her supervisor, and the LAD subsequently referred a corruption complaint to the ICAC.
The LAD rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
Wen Congmei, 62, unemployed, faces one count of offering an advantage to public servant, contrary to section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. The defendant was released on bail, pending her appearance at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (May 22) for plea.
At the material time, the defendant’s son was an LAD aided-person regarding the legal proceedings concerning the custody of her grandson. The defendant maintained contact with a legal clerk of the LAD regarding the case.
The charge alleges that on September 4, 2025, the defendant offered a bribe of $10,000 to the LAD legal clerk as an inducement for assisting her son in the legal proceedings over the custody of her grandson.
It is alleged that the defendant handed over an envelope containing $10,000 in cash addressed to the LAD legal clerk, followed by a telephone call, requesting the legal clerk to grant her grandson’s custody to her son. The legal clerk reported the matter to her supervisor, and the LAD subsequently referred a corruption complaint to the ICAC.
The LAD rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.