Sad days for the graft-buster in many more ways than one
The consequences of ex-ICAC chief's alleged spending from public coffers are far-reaching
I wonder whether the former ICAC commissioner Timothy Tong Hin-ming realises just how much damage he has done to the anti-graft body he was appointed to defend and protect.
No doubt he is beginning to understand the danger to himself. After all, he is now the subject of a criminal investigation by his former colleagues, some of whom are undoubtedly angry at the way their own image has been tarnished by association.
But judging from the mindset that led him to behave as he did, it is possible he does not fully grasp the consequences for the Independent Commission Against Corruption itself.
From the facts made public so far, from the audit report and from replies to media enquiries, Tong entertained mainland officials lavishly on a number of occasions and gave some of them expensive gifts.
The justification for the frequency and the identity of the guests has been challenged. And the fact these favours were paid for from public funds has caused considerable outrage.
But that is not the main point. If, as some have speculated, the favours were granted to secure a future benefit for the individual concerned, then the funding source is at most an aggravating factor in the matter.