Anthony Wong and Au Nok-hin get bind over order for election corruption case

Cantopop singer Anthony Wong Yiu-ming and former lawmaker Au Nok-hin were ordered a 18-month bind over for HK$2,000 over their election corruption case.

Wong, 59, and Au, 34, appeared in Eastern Magistrates' Courts this afternoon.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption charged Wong and Au with one count of engaging in corrupt conduct to provide others with entertainment at an election on March 3, 2018.

The lawyer for the Department of Justice said, given Wong's background, attitude and details of this case, the department decided to place the charge offering no evidence, and agreed that the court should order Wong a bind over order if he will not commit similar offense again.

Defense for Wong said that he understands the serious nature of the charge. Yet, the lawyer pointed out that Wong was in a passive position and was called to perform on stage without getting paid.

The court then ordered them a 18-month bind over for HK$2,000, saying that Wong has to behave well and he cannot be involved in other election corruption cases during this period.

Au, on the other hand, is currently serving a jail sentence over the pro-democracy camp's primary election case.

Au staged a two-hour rally at Edinburgh Place in Central on March 3, 2018, in which Wong performed two songs – A Forbidden Fruit Once Per Day and It's My Party.

Wong also called on those at the rally to vote for Au, who then shared videos and published posts on Facebook, announcing Wong's performance at the rally is part of his election advertisements.

Au won the Legislative Council by-election on March 11, 2018.

Under the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance, it is corrupt conduct for anyone who bears all or part of the cost of food, drinks or entertainment for another person to induce others to vote for an election candidate, the ICAC said.