Councillor accused of fraud over allowances

A Wan Chai district councillor has been charged with falsely claiming allowances worth HK$35,500 over three years. Lee Kai-hung, 48, entered no plea yesterday in Eastern Court before Principal Magistrate Garry Tallentire. He faces one count of misconduct in public office and seven counts of fraud. He is accused of overstating the salaries of five councillor assistants from February 12, 2004 to February 27 last year. The assistants were asked to perform duties not related to the district council, it is alleged. The case was adjourned to May 6 and sent to the District Court.