The ICAC has arrested 23 people, including a former chairman of the Liquor Licensing Board, during an investigation into allegations of corruption in the issuing of drinks licences in Wan Chai and Mongkok.
Wan Chai District Council member Stephen Wong Hon-ching, who was head of the Liquor Licensing Board from January 2000 until December 31 last year, was arrested by anti-graft agents this week.
Fellow district councillor Chun Fei-pan, of Yau Tsim Mong, was also arrested, along with another district councillor, former Customs officer Henfrey Tin Sau-kwong, a solicitor, a police constable and 10 nightclub, karaoke, restaurant and bar operators.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption also detained what it described as four alleged middlemen and four associates during the investigation, codenamed Cotton. All of those arrested have been released on bail without charge as investigations continue.
The arrests came after the ICAC received information alleging that bribes may have been paid by operators of several bars in return for speeding up applications for, or extensions to, drinks licences.