Home affairs executive officer admits false claim of medical trip to attend dance classes

A senior executive officer of the Home Affairs Department was granted bail after she admitted to making false claims of medical treatment in order to attend a dance class.

Fu San, 41, was charged by Independent Commission Against Corruption with six counts of using documents intended for deception, for falsely claiming to visit a Chinese medical clinic in six afternoons during office hours but ended up attending classes.

She pleaded guilty to three counts at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts on Monday. The prosecution offered no evidence to three other charges against her.

Acting Principal Magistrate Peony Wong Nga-yan adjourned the case to January 24 for sentence, pending a community service order report of the defendant. Fu was granted cash bail of HK$10,000.

The defendant was an acting senior executive officer posted to Wong Tai Sin District Office of the Home Affairs Department. She was responsible for providing secretarial support to Wong Tai Sin District Council.

The court heard that the defendant had submitted three sets of “Application for Time-off” forms to her supervisor for approval. The defendant stated in the forms that she had taken time-off to visit a Chinese medicine clinic in the afternoon of November 30, 2018, July 5, 2019 and June 17, 2020.

ICAC inquiries revealed that the defendant had attended dance classes in the three afternoons. She only visited the Chinese medicine clinic in the evening on two of the aforesaid dates and did not visit it on the remaining date.

The defense pleaded that the defendant had a distinguished 14-year career in public service but the case killed her future. 

But Wong considered the case to be serious, saying that the defendant should choose a proper time to enjoy her hobbies. 

According to the Civil Service Regulations, government officers are allowed to take time-off from duty for visiting clinics for approved treatment, examination or consultation. 

A government officer of the HAD taking time-off from duty under the regulation should seek prior approval from his or her supervisor and complete an application form upon resumption of duty.