Stephen Chan given final appeal go-ahead over TVB cash
Hong Kong media figure to have another day in court as he fights conviction for taking HK$112,000 behind the back of his boss
Former TVB general manager Stephen Chan Chi-wan has been given the go-ahead to lodge a final appeal against his conviction for taking money behind the back of his boss.
The Court of Final Appeal yesterday granted Chan, who took HK$112,000 without informing his former boss at TVB, permission to lodge the appeal.
The city’s top court has scheduled a one-day hearing for February 21 next year for the now host at Commercial Radio to present his case again before a panel of top justices.
Following a string of hearings, Chan, 55, was convicted last year of conspiring to accept an advantage with his former aid Edthancy Tseng Pei-kun, who channelled the payment.
Granting the permission, Court of Final Appeal non-permanent judge Mr Justice Frank Stock, and permanent judges Mr Justice Joseph Fok and Mr Justice Robert Tang Ching said the appeal would focus on what intent – or mens rea – was required for one to be convicted of the charge Chan was found guilty.
The court would explore the “reasonable excuses” available for Chan to use as a defence. It also granted the appeal on the grounds of the substantial and grievous injustice over which the factual aspect of the case had been handled.