Ex-chief secretary Rafael Hui Si-yan took more than HK$34 million worth of bribes from the billionaire Kwok brothers and two others in return for favours, the ICAC alleged yesterday.
The graft-buster charged Thomas Kwok Ping-kwong and Raymond Kwok Ping-luen - co-chairmen of Sun Hung Kai Properties - and Hui with bribery and public misconduct.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption alleged that between 2000 and 2009 Hui received almost HK$30 million in cash, more than HK$5 million in loans and the rent-free use of a luxury flat in Happy Valley, where he now lives.
In return, Hui is accused of favouring the brothers while he was the city's No 2 official, and also during his time as an executive councillor, while chairman of the steering committee of the West Kowloon Cultural District project, and as head of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority.
Hui, 64, faces eight corruption charges. Thomas Kwok, 59, faces two charges and Raymond Kwok, 58, faces three. No pleas were entered in the Eastern Court hearing, which lasted about 30 minutes.
Magistrate David Dufton adjourned the hearing until October 12 to allow prosecutors to prepare papers and seek overseas legal help.