Former Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang appeals against misconduct conviction and jail sentence
Former chief executive still faces retrial on another charge
Former chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen on Thursday lodged appeals against his conviction for misconduct and 20-month jail sentence, while also applying for bail.
Tsang, 72, became the city’s highest-ranked official to be convicted and jailed, following a high-profile jury trial that concluded last month.
A source close to Tsang told the Post that his lawyers had filed an appeal.
Court records showed the appeal was made against both his conviction and sentence.
A Department of Justice spokeswoman confirmed that prosecutors received the notice of appeal.
The judiciary’s website also showed that the former leader applied for bail pending the appeals, with a three-hour hearing listed for April 6.
A short pretrial review for that case is scheduled for next Monday before trial judge Mr Justice Andrew Chan Hing-wai.
Her husband was convicted of one count of misconduct in public office for failing to disclose a conflict of interest when he approved three applications from radio broadcaster Wave Media between 2010 and 2012, including a request for a digital broadcast licence.
The nine jurors cleared Tsang of a second misconduct charge of failing to disclose his connection with interior designer Barrie Ho Chow-lai when recommending Ho for an honour. The designer worked on plans for Tsang’s planned Shenzhen home.
But the jury could not agree on a third count of accepting an advantage as chief executive, over Tsang’s alleged receipt of HK$3.35 million worth of renovations on the luxury home as a bribe for approving the Wave Media applications.
Additional reporting by Chris Lau