Hong Kong government staff among 8 arrested in bribery case involving procurement projects
- Independent Commission Against Corruption says members of Electrical and Mechanical Services Department arrested in bribery case
Hong Kong government employees were among eight people arrested in a bribery case involving procurement projects for public hospitals, the city’s anti-corruption agency said on Wednesday.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption said another 10 people were interviewed under caution as part of the case linked to members of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD).
The commission said that some of the suspects were government employees at public hospitals who oversaw the procurement of items valued at less than HK$50,000 (US$6,400).
The eight were all released on bail, pending further investigation.
“Those involved include staff members from the EMSD, as well as other individuals,” the commission said.
The agency stopped short of revealing how many government employees were among those arrested.
It also declined to provide any further details, as the investigation was still under way.
A department spokeswoman said it was fully committed to cooperating with investigators.
“The department will not tolerate any illegal activities,” she said, adding no further information could be shared at this time.
According to local media, the arrest operation took place last month and involved the procurement of sterilisation equipment.
The amount involved also meant the government employees had not required the approval of supervisors, they said.
