Hong Kong’s ICAC admits retired staff linked to case of cleared former head Timothy Tong could not now be disciplined
Graft-buster says scope of internal probe limited as end-of-contract financial rewards had already been paid
Hong Kong’s graft-buster admitted its hands were tied when conducting an internal disciplinary investigation into officers who were involved in the case of its former head, as some had retired.
The probe came after the Department of Justice last month decided not to lay charges against the Timothy Tong Hin-ming, ex-head of the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
He was accused of excessive spending on official visits, gifts and meals during his five-year tenure between 2007 and 2012.
Commissioner Simon Peh Yun-lu said on Tuesday the committee he chaired had been looking into the conduct of around 10 staff related to Tong’s case. Up to four had retired and Peh admitted they could “walk away” from any wrongdoing.
“They are not obliged to cooperate with us,” he said.
Peh, however, pledged to review financial reward mechanisms in place for retiring staff and plug any loopholes.