Spare former councillors prison terms, lawyers plead in court
Two former district councillors and three accomplices convicted of spending HK$2 million to bribe voters will be sentenced on Monday.
Lawyers for Lee York-fai, 42, a doctor and councillor for 13 years, and Chiang Sai-cheong, 54, a former Kowloon City councillor for 21 years, pleaded with the court to pass non-custodial sentences, taking into account the pair's previous contribution to society and good character.
Lee, Chiang, and Simon Liang Chun-yip, 40, Yu Wai-chi, 36, and Cheung Shing-kai, 43, were convicted on Thursday on 10 charges in relation to corrupt and illegal conduct in the two months leading up to the by-election on March 29, 2009, for the Mei Lam Estate seat in Tai Wai constituency.
Judge Douglas Yau Tak-hong had indicated he would pass jail terms.
Kevin Wong, lawyer for Lee, said: 'Lee suffered a clear setback when he lost in the previous election. It struck a big blow to him.
'So when the by-election came, he wanted to run in the election so much he defied his party and insisted on taking part in it,' Wong said.
Lee was expelled by the Liberal Party for taking part in the poll.
'He started with good intentions but he violated the law,' Wong said, referring to offering free services and gifts to voters.
Simon Ng, lawyer for Chiang, submitted letters from a Fijian diplomat and a number of lawmakers saying Chiang was respectable.
Chiang was a member of the Kowloon City District Council for 21 years before his defeat in the 2007 election. He was also a member of the defunct urban council from 1991 to 1999, Ng told the court. He also told the court that Chiang did not profit from the offences.
Judge Yau adjourned the sentencing to Monday. The five were remanded in custody.
The court had heard that Lee spent more than HK$2 million in campaigning expenses, 41 times more than the statutory limit of HK$48,000.
The five set up a welfare institute which handed out free flu vaccines, cash coupons and books to potential voters shortly before the by-election. They also took voters to lavish seafood meals at a nominal charge.
Big spender
The multiple by which Lee York-fai exceeded the limit on campaign expenses was: 41
