Police Chief Telecommunications Engineer in court over deceiving government of $1.9m housing loan and allowances
2018-1-12
The Chief Telecommunications Engineer of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) appeared in the Eastern Magistracy today (January 12) after being charged by the ICAC with using a false document to mislead the government into granting him a downpayment loan and home financing allowances totalling over $1.9 million.
Wong Chun-kau, 58, who was charged on Wednesday (January 10), faced one count of agent using a false document with intent to deceive his principal, contrary to Section 9(3) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
No plea was taken today. Principal Magistrate Ms Bina Chainrai adjourned the case to February 12 this year for plea.
The case arose from a complaint referred by the Treasury. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offence.
At the material time, the defendant was a Telecommunications Engineer of the HKPF, who joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force (later renamed the HKPF) in 1981, and was eligible to join the Home Financing Scheme (HFS). He is currently the Chief Telecommunications Officer of the HKPF.
The charge alleged that on September 8, 1997, the defendant used a “Statement on Housing and Housing Related Benefits Received by an Officer/His Spouse” which contained a false, erroneous or defective statement, namely that he was single, with intent to mislead the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
As a result, the defendant allegedly concealed the fact that his spouse had received housing benefit and thereby misled the Government into granting him a downpayment loan and home financing allowances totalling over $1.9 million under the HFS.
The defendant was granted cash bail of $10,000. He was also ordered to reside at his reported address, inform the ICAC 24 hours prior to any change of address, and not to contact prosecution witnesses directly or indirectly.
The Treasury and the HKPF had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Eric Yong.
Wong Chun-kau, 58, who was charged on Wednesday (January 10), faced one count of agent using a false document with intent to deceive his principal, contrary to Section 9(3) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
No plea was taken today. Principal Magistrate Ms Bina Chainrai adjourned the case to February 12 this year for plea.
The case arose from a complaint referred by the Treasury. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offence.
At the material time, the defendant was a Telecommunications Engineer of the HKPF, who joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force (later renamed the HKPF) in 1981, and was eligible to join the Home Financing Scheme (HFS). He is currently the Chief Telecommunications Officer of the HKPF.
The charge alleged that on September 8, 1997, the defendant used a “Statement on Housing and Housing Related Benefits Received by an Officer/His Spouse” which contained a false, erroneous or defective statement, namely that he was single, with intent to mislead the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
As a result, the defendant allegedly concealed the fact that his spouse had received housing benefit and thereby misled the Government into granting him a downpayment loan and home financing allowances totalling over $1.9 million under the HFS.
The defendant was granted cash bail of $10,000. He was also ordered to reside at his reported address, inform the ICAC 24 hours prior to any change of address, and not to contact prosecution witnesses directly or indirectly.
The Treasury and the HKPF had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Eric Yong.