Tsang ‘hopelessly compromised,’ court told
Print Edition
FORMER Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang abused his power and was “hopelessly compromised” while in office, prosecutors said yesterday in opening arguments at his corruption trial.
Tsang, 72, chief executive for seven years from 2005, is the highest ranking Hong Kong official to be taken to court for graft.
While Hong Kong has earned a reputation as one of the world’s most open and transparent markets, Tsang’s is the latest in a string of cases which are fueling suspicions of cosy links between authorities and business leaders.
“This case is about integrity, honesty, standards of conduct in public life,” prosecutor David Perry told Hong Kong’s high court.
Tsang “exploited his position as chief executive,” said Perry, in what he termed a “classic conflict of interest.”
Perry said Tsang abused his power to further his personal interests instead of acting on behalf of the Hong Kong public.
The former leader has pleaded not guilty to three charges of misconduct and bribery relating to his time in office, each of which carries a maximum jail sentence of seven years.
He is accused of failing to disclose his plans to lease a luxury penthouse in the neighboring city of Shenzhen from a major investor in a broadcaster which at the time was seeking a license from the Hong Kong government.
Tsang allegedly approved the company’s application for the license, and also failed to declare that an architect he proposed for a government award had been employed as an interior designer on his apartment.
Another of the investor’s companies paid for its refurbishment, said Perry, including a gym, tea room and calligraphy room.
Perry called Tsang’s behavior “a betrayal of public trust.”
In 2012, Tsang apologized for separate allegations that he accepted inappropriate gifts from business friends in the form of trips on luxury yachts and private jets.
In 2014, Tsang’s deputy Rafael Hui was jailed for seven and a half years after being found guilty of taking bribes from Hong Kong property tycoon Thomas Kwok.
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