Donald Tsang, Former Hong Kong Leader, Gets 20 Months for Misconduct
22, 2017
HONG KONG — A former leader of Hong Kong was sentenced to 20 months in prison on Wednesday for misconduct in public office, a development in a high-profile trial
that has again brought attention to the cozy ties between the city’s political elites and business tycoons.
The conviction and sentencing are sure to tarnish the legacy of Mr. Tsang, who had served in public
office for 45 years, including seven as chief executive, the city’s top political office.
A jury concluded that Mr. Tsang had deliberately concealed his plans to lease a three-story penthouse from the developer, Wong Cho-bau, when
the developer’s company was seeking government approval for several applications, including one for a digital audio broadcasting license.
In 2014, Mr. Tsang’s deputy, Rafael Hui, was convicted of misconduct in public office
in another high-profile trial over dealings with a billionaire property tycoon.
The jury failed to reach a majority verdict on a corruption charge
that accused Mr. Tsang of accepting advantage — the refurbishment of the apartment — from Mr. Wong in return for approving his company’s license application.
He was acquitted of another charge of misconduct over failing to declare
that an interior designer he nominated for an official honor had renovated the penthouse, in the neighboring Chinese city of Shenzhen, at below market rates.