The Ombudsman's report ended months of speculation about a possible conflict of interest, because of Alice Tai Yuen-ying's husband's job as transport commissioner.
Aides said Ms Tai was not involved in the investigation, but she read the final draft and approved the report.
Deputy Assistant Ombudsman Wan Suet-ming was at yesterday's news conference.
'She was not avoiding the public. It's just that Mr Wan was more closely involved in the case so he should brief the press instead of Ms Tai,' a spokesman said.
Robert Footman, who took over from Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun as commissioner of transport in November 1998, was not responsible for the tendering of the three ferry routes.
But he was directly involved in the preparation and monitoring of route operations on and before April 1, areas in which the department was repeatedly criticised.
