Former Hong Kong chief executive Donald Tsang (曾蔭權) faces misconduct charges over a luxury apartment in China, authorities said yesterday, setting the stage for the territory’s most high-profile corruption trial in recent memory.
Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption said in a statement that it filed two charges of misconduct in public office against Tsang, 70, who is the highest-ranking official to be ensnared by the anti-corruption watchdog. He was released on bail and was grim-faced when he arrived at a magistrate’s court for a hearing, accompanied by his wife.
The allegations date from before Tsang left office in June 2012, and relate to a discounted penthouse in the southeastern Chinese city of Shenzhen rented from a wealthy friend.
It is one of several recent cases that have shaken public confidence and raised concerns about cozy ties between wealthy tycoons and Hong Kong’s leaders.
The anti-corruption agency said that Tsang “willfully misconducted himself” when he failed to publicly declare that he was in talks to lease the Shenzhen triplex during government license negotiations with the company that owned the apartment.
The second charge stems from Tsang’s nomination of an architect for a government honor without revealing that he had hired the architect to redecorate the apartment. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison, though it appears likely Tsang would face a much lower penalty if convicted.
Tsang stood in court as a clerk read out the charges, saying: “I understand” after each charge. He also indicated to the judge he that he understood the bail conditions, which require him to post HK$100,000 (US$12,903) in cash bail, notify the court if he plans to travel outside Hong Kong or change residences, and prohibit him from interfering with witnesses.
After the hearing, Tsang told a throng of TV journalists gathered on the courthouse steps that he was confident he would be cleared.
“My conscience is clear,’’ he said. “I have every confidence that the court will exonerate me at the end of its proceedings.”
The case was adjourned until Nov. 13.
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