ICAC charges ex-HKEX vice-president and mother
HK01 · 7 SOURCES1 day ago5 MIN
Summary
The Independent Commission Against Corruption has charged former Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing vice-president Tong Po-hang (湯寶衡), 39, and his 68-year-old mother Leung Yiu-chun (梁耀珍) over alleged dishonest access to HKEX’s internal information system involving confidential listed-company data. The charge alleges the pair accessed HKEX computers between February 2018 and April 2023 with a view to dishonest gain for themselves or others. The ICAC said the case began after a corruption complaint was referred by the Securities and Futures Commission, and that the mother’s investment account later traded shares in related listed companies for profits of more than HK$500,000. The investigation is continuing and the agency has said further prosecutions are not being ruled out.
Key Points
- Tong and Leung were jointly charged with one count of obtaining access to a computer with intent to gain dishonestly for oneself or another, under section 161(1)(c) of the Crimes Ordinance.
- Prosecutors allege the offending period ran from February 23, 2018 to April 18, 2023, during which HKEX’s internal information system was accessed in Hong Kong
- ICAC investigators alleged Tong repeatedly viewed confidential listed-company information unrelated to his duties while working within HKEX’s internal system.
- The agency said Leung’s investment account later traded shares of the related listed companies and made profits exceeding HK$500,000.
- The case was mentioned at Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on November 4 and adjourned to February 17 next year for further investigation.
Why It Matters
The case centres on alleged misuse of sensitive market information inside Hong Kong’s exchange operator, making it relevant to confidence in market integrity and internal controls at a core financial institution. It also shows the close cooperation among the ICAC, the Securities and Futures Commission and HKEX in pursuing suspected misconduct linked to listed-company information.