The ICAC had earlier charged a then deputy general manager of a contractor of a works project in Tseung Kwan O of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) with conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage for allegedly reaching an agreement with a subcontractor to accept a bribe of $2 million in relation to securing a subcontract of the project, which subsequently did not materialise. Another two individuals associated with the subcontractor were charged by the Commission yesterday (March 3) with bribery.

The four independent advisory committees, responsible for overseeing different aspects of the work of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), highly commended the Commission for its contributions and breakthroughs in the previous year in relation to law enforcement, corruption prevention, education and international cooperation. The four committees support the ICAC to keep up its efforts in innovations and reforms while upholding its graft fighting mission and advancing the international anti-corruption cause.

A then account supervisor of a party products supplier appeared in the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (March 3) after being charged by the ICAC for alleged misappropriation of about $18 million of company funds by forging the signatures on almost 500 cheques. The case was adjourned, pending committal to the High Court for plea.

ICAC Commissioner Woo Ying-ming has led a delegation to visit Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) early this week to foster closer ties in anti-corruption initiatives between Hong Kong and the Middle East region.

A then Assistant Business Manager of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) was charged by the ICAC yesterday (February 26) with misconduct in public office (MIPO) for allegedly divulging confidential tender information, including evaluation criteria and tender proposals submitted by other bidders, to a personal friend for assisting the latter to secure an online market platform enhancement project at over $2.3 million. The personal friend faces an offence of aiding or abetting another person to commit MIPO.

A then site team leaders of a sub-contractor of the Third Runway Project of the Hong Kong International Airport (Third Runway Project), charged by the ICAC, was today (February 26) sentenced at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts to seven months’ imprisonment for accepting bribes totalling about $160,000 from four carpenters for securing their employment.

The ICAC had earlier charged two then senior executives of a duty-free chain store, who had concealed their conflicting interest in companies set up by them, with conspiracy to defraud for purchasing and reselling bottled red wine sourced from a French supplier to the chain store for profit by inflating the prices by $12 million. Following the guilty plea of a then general manager implicated, a then director was today (February 26) convicted of the offence after trial at the District Court.

A small house applicant, charged by the ICAC for conspiring with a developer to sell his “Ding Right” and deceiving the Lands Department into granting him a building licence for a small house in Sai Kung, was today (February 25) sentenced at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts to three months’ imprisonment.

A then construction consultant of a fast-food restaurant chain was charged by the ICAC last Friday (February 21) for allegedly accepting a watch worth over $80,000 from a contractor couple for showing favour to their renovation company. The trio were respectively charged with offering and accepting a bribe.

ICAC Commissioner Woo Ying-ming, leading a delegation of graft fighters, has commenced a visit to the Middle East today (February 24) to strengthen anti-graft collaboration and exchanges in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).