Former Hong Kong leader faces criminal charges

Arraigned in court on Tuesday, former Hong Kong leader, Donald Tsang, has pleaded not guilty to charges of misconduct and bribery.

Media report say Tsang, 72, who served as chief executive of Hong Kong from 2005 to 2012, is facing three charges.

Two of the charges were on misconduct in public office and the other count is on the chief executive taking advantage for events that took place between 2010 and 2012.

“Tsang stands accused of failing to disclose his dealings with businessman Bill Wong Cho-bau, a major shareholder of the now defunct radio station Wave Media, later renamed Digital Broadcasting Corp,’’.

The maximum sentence if convicted for the three charges is 21 years in prison.

“Tsang also stands accused of failing to report that an interior designer he recommended for an award nomination had been tasked to design the Shenzhen penthouse.

“Refurbishment and redecoration of the penthouse could be considered an inducement or reward under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance,’’ local media reported.

The charge carries a maximum HK 500,000 dollar fine (approximately 65,000 dollars) and seven years in jail.

Tsang’s case is the second high-profile case of public misconduct, since the conviction of former senior official Rafael Hui in December 2014.

Hui is currently serving seven and a half years in prison on corruption charges. (dpa/NAN)