Woman charged by ICAC sentenced for violating POBO by disclosing identity of subject of ICAC probe
2024-1-23
A woman, charged by the ICAC, was today (January 23) handed a 100-hour community service order at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts for disclosing the identity of a person under ICAC investigation.
Li Wing-yan, 35, freelancer, earlier pleaded guilty to one count of disclosing identity, etc. of persons being investigated, contrary to section 30(1)(b) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO).
In sentencing, Principal Magistrate Miss Ivy Chui Yee-mei said the offence committed by the defendant was serious in nature. A community service order was imposed on the defendant, having considered her guilty plea and other mitigating factors.
The court heard that in mid-August 2022, the ICAC received an email sent by the defendant complaining that a bank customer might have bribed a staff member of a bank for assistance in securing a loan. The defendant was subsequently reminded by ICAC officers not to disclose the report to others, otherwise she would have contravened section 30 of the POBO.
Investigation revealed that in mid-September 2022, the defendant sent an email to the bank which disclosed that the bank customer was the subject of an ICAC investigation and details of the investigation.
Under section 30 of the POBO, any person who discloses the identity of the subject person to other people without lawful authority or reasonable excuse shall be guilty of an offence.
The bank concerned had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Stella Lau.
Li Wing-yan, 35, freelancer, earlier pleaded guilty to one count of disclosing identity, etc. of persons being investigated, contrary to section 30(1)(b) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO).
In sentencing, Principal Magistrate Miss Ivy Chui Yee-mei said the offence committed by the defendant was serious in nature. A community service order was imposed on the defendant, having considered her guilty plea and other mitigating factors.
The court heard that in mid-August 2022, the ICAC received an email sent by the defendant complaining that a bank customer might have bribed a staff member of a bank for assistance in securing a loan. The defendant was subsequently reminded by ICAC officers not to disclose the report to others, otherwise she would have contravened section 30 of the POBO.
Investigation revealed that in mid-September 2022, the defendant sent an email to the bank which disclosed that the bank customer was the subject of an ICAC investigation and details of the investigation.
Under section 30 of the POBO, any person who discloses the identity of the subject person to other people without lawful authority or reasonable excuse shall be guilty of an offence.
The bank concerned had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Stella Lau.