In response to media enquiries on a complaint received earlier by the ICAC Complaints Committee (ICC) against ICAC’s then Director of Community Relations, an ICAC spokesperson today (Wednesday) said:

“The complaint was non-criminal in nature.

Pursuant to established procedures, the ICC referred the complaint to the ICAC’s Internal Investigation and Monitoring Group for follow-up action. As the complaint was related to a criminal investigation being conducted by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), it was handed over to the SIU for investigation. The SIU reported directly to the ICAC Commissioner the progress and outcome of its investigation.

Following a thorough and full-scale investigation, the SIU found that the allegation made by the complainant was not substantiated. The Commissioner agreed to the outcome of the investigation and reported it to the ICC on April 26, 2016. After deliberation, the ICC accepted the ICAC’s recommendation that the allegation was not substantiated.

Established in 1977, the ICC is responsible for monitoring and reviewing the ICAC’s handling of non-criminal complaints against the Commission and its staff. The ICC operates independently and the monitoring mechanism has all along proved to be effective.

During its investigation, the SIU interviewed a number of ICAC officers, including the target of the complaint, and examined related records.

As in all other cases, ICAC officers handle all internal investigations professionally and impartially.

The ICAC had conducted a thorough review of the related system and procedures. The management had also made appropriate amendments to the Commission Standing Orders with a view to preventing recurrence of similar incidents.

Meanwhile, eight ICAC officers had received advice from the management upon conclusion of the relevant internal investigation.”