A clerk who misappropriated more than HK$3 million in University of Hong Kong funds had her jail term reduced to 18 months yesterday after she helped prosecutors convict her former boss, Dr John Wong.
The Court of Appeal reduced June Chan Sau-hung's jail term because her original sentence of 22 months was handed down in May 2010, before the Independent Commission Against Corruption approached her about prosecuting Wong.
As a result, the original sentencing judge did not have the chance to reflect Chan's co-operation by reducing her sentence.
Wong, former head of surgery at the university, was given a community service order of 240 hours, the maximum allowed.
Chan, 43, who pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office, used university credit cards to make purchases and withdraw cash
She said she committed the crimes to ease the pressure of a failed marriage and a heavy workload.
The crimes took place between 2004 and 2006 when she worked as an administrative assistant at the Skills Development Centre, under the supervision of Wong, who helped her cover up the embezzlement.