After tearful apology, ex-Hong Kong official Patrick Ho gets ‘truly merciful’ 3-year sentence in US bribery and money laundering case
- Ho was given credit for time already served so will spend an additional 20 months behind bars, and must pay a US$400,000 fine
Disgraced former Hong Kong minister Patrick Ho Chi-ping is expected to be sent to a minimum security prison after a US court sentenced him to three years in jail and fined him US$400,000 (HK$3.1 million) over a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving top African leaders.
But Ho, 69, who delivered a tearful apology before the sentencing in a New York federal court, could be released as early as June next year. This was because Ho’s 16 months in custody was deducted, while his legal team predicted his jail term could be reduced by another five months for good behaviour.
“I tried very hard to transform my despair into something meaningful,” Ho told US District Judge Loretta Preska. “I accept full responsibility. I am deeply sorry.
“Please accept this token [of] respect and gratitude,” Ho said, head bowed, at the end of his remarks, which included details of the community work he did at New York’s Manhattan Correctional Centre, helping other inmates by giving classes in English, résumé writing and public speaking.
Ho also recalled the pain of not being with his wife and 92-year-old mother.
