Hong Kong chief executive denies using influence to land daughter internship at major bank

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has dismissed allegations that he used his influence six years ago to secure an internship for his younger daughter at an international investment bank

Leung Chung-yan was still at secondary school at the time and her father was convenor of the Executive Council, the body that advises the city’s chief executive, and a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the United States had alleged that JPMorgan’s Asia Pacific unit “won business from clients and corruptly influenced government officials in the Asia-Pacific region by giving jobs and internships to their relatives and friends”.

The investment bank agreed to pay US$264 million on November 17 to settle the charges.

Apple Daily reported on Thursday that Leung was embroiled in the case with his daughter’s internship.

In reply to a Post inquiry, the Chief Executive’s Office said Leung Chung-yan was an intern at the bank six years ago. “The matter is not connected to his public offices, nor was any money involved.”