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Lo Hoi-ying

Former Hong Kong lawmaker Chim Pui-chung has pleaded for leniency after being found guilty of conspiracy to defraud, pointing to his old age, poor health and significant contributions to society.
The 78-year-old returned to District Court on Wednesday, with his legal team making the plea backed by mitigation letters from high-profile politicians.
Chim, who represented the financial services sector in the Legislative Council between 2004 and 2012, has been remanded in custody since last month when he was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud over transactions related to a publicly listed company nearly a decade ago.
The court, presided over by Judge Ernest Lin Kam-hung, heard that Chim had been mentally suffering since the 2013 incident due to a delay in prosecution.

The legal team said Chim was nearly 80 years old and in poor health, adding a stroke, throat cancer, heart disease and gout had made it difficult for him to walk without help.
Senior Counsel Maggie Wong Pui-kei, presenting Chim, argued that he was a lawmaker for 14 years and contributed to society and the business sector as part of his role.
Chim also submitted a dozen plea letters, including from former Legco president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, former financial secretary John Tsang Chun-wah and lawmaker Paul Tse Wai-chun.
In his letter, ex-Legco president Tsang said he had known Chim for years and he contributed greatly to society, pushing for national and regional development, including donating to humanitarian causes.
“Although he is guilty, we cannot erase the fact that he has served the community and contributed to the finance and insurance sector,” Tsang was quoted as saying in his letter.
Tse mentioned in his letter that Chim was a charitable, self-made man concerned about social welfare.
Representatives from the Chiu Chow and Shantou communities in Hong Kong also wrote letters on Chim’s behalf, saying he cared greatly for the development of his hometown.
Wong also provided proof of Chim’s donations to disaster relief efforts, Hong Kong’s football association and the development of the mainland Chinese city of Chaozhou over the years.
Among those in the courtroom public gallery were lawmaker Tse and veteran political activist Tsang Kin-shing, also known as “the Bull”.
The defendant’s son, Ricky Chim Kim-lun, 55, was also found guilty of conspiracy to defraud last month, while businesswoman Wong Poe-lai, 68, was convicted of money laundering in the same case.
The court earlier heard that merchant Ma Zhonghong, an associate of Wong’s, conspired with the Chims and other unidentified people to commit fraud by concealing his agreement to pay HK$210 million (US$27 million) to the duo to gain control of between 70 per cent and 75 per cent of Hong Kong-listed Asia Resources Holdings.
Former lawmaker Chim was a substantial shareholder in the company, while his son served as its chairman from 2008 to 2014.
The deal constituted a back-door listing because it denied the stock exchange and other shareholders the opportunity to scrutinise the transaction, according to the city’s Independent Commission Against Corruption.
The case has been adjourned to February 3 for sentencing.


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Hong Kong courts

Ex-Hong Kong lawmaker Chim Pui-chung seeks leniency after fraud conviction

Former finance sector lawmaker Chim Pui-chung. Photo: Sam Tsang

 Former Legco president Jasper Tsang in 2022. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Hong Kong’s Chim Pui-chung: who is ‘angry Chiu Chow man’ convicted of fraud?

Chim Pui-chung is known for his outspoken nature and at times crass remarks. Photo: SCMP

Chim Pui-chung arrives at District Court earlier this week. Photo: Sam Tsang

Chim Pui-chung (left) being accompanied to police headquarters in connection with his forged documents case in the late 1990s. Photo: SCMP

Former Hong Kong lawmaker Chim Pui-chung and son found guilty of fraud

Chim Pui-chung represented the financial services sector in the Legislative Council between 2004 and 2012. Photo: Sam Tsang

Ricky Chim Kim-lun was the chairman of Asia Resources Holdings. Photo: Bruce Yan

A judge has said businesswoman Wong Poe-lai should have realised the assets involved in the case came from illegitimate sources. Photo: Brian Wong

News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Defence team says Chim is nearly 80 years old and in poor health in plea backed by mitigation letters from high-profile politicians


Defence team says Chim is nearly 80 years old and in poor health in plea backed by mitigation letters from high-profile politicians.


Crime in Hong Kong

Legislative Council of Hong Kong