Deputy Prosecutor Kong Chi sentenced to 17 years in prison

The Court of Second Instance (TSI) has sentencedto 17 years in prison. The ruling from the collective court was pronounced yesterday.

Kong was charged of accepting bribes and neglecting his duties to favor others, as well as possessing assets from unknown sources.

His sentence is the accumulated result of several counts of crimes related to bribery and other illegal acts. He was, however, acquitted of accusations related to the establishment and operation of a criminal organization.

The second defendant in this case, Chao Sao Ieng, a businessperson accused of aiding and abetting Kong in his criminal activities – in particular, hiding Kong’s bribery and money laundering income, as well as receiving funds in Kong’s name – was also sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison.

The third defendant, Ng Wai Chu, the spouse of Chao who was also accused of taking part in Kong’s illegal dealings, was sentenced to a total of six years in prison.

The only defendant acquitted in the trial was lawyer Kuan Hoi Lon. Kuan was accused of distributing and selling evidence, such as exhibits and testimonies, for the benefit of suspects in their defense proceedings.

Among the accusations leveled against him, Kong was said to have benefited from MOP14 million in assets of unclear origins, which are suspected to have come from illegal activities.

Leaving the court, Kong’s lawyer, Lau Io Keong, stated that he respects the ruling and will analyze it, before “a decision is made about a possible appeal.”