'Graft Accused Ex-official Had Decade-long Affair'

The corruption trial of former senior civil servant Wilson Fung and Macau businesswoman Cheyenne Chan was told on Monday that the two have been having an extramarital affair for more than a decade.

Wilson Fung is married to Betty Fung, who heads the government’s Policy Innovation and Coordination Office.

Wilson Fung and Chan are facing charges in relation to a flat-swapping scandal.

Giving evidence at the District Court, an ICAC officer who interviewed Wilson Fung during the investigation said the former official had told him that he had had an intimate relationship 'like that of a married couple' with Chan for over a decade.

Wilson Fung said they were very close but he dared not let his wife know, the officer told the court.

He was also quoted as saying their love had nothing to do with their official dealings, and that he had not favoured anyone in his official capacity.

After hearing evidence from the prosecution, the court ruled that there’s a case for the defendants to answer.

Wilson Fung, 55, formerly a deputy secretary for economic development and labour, is charged with accepting an advantage as a public servant, for allegedly taking HK$510,000 from Chan – casino tycoon Stanley Ho’s sister-in-law – as a reward for being favourably disposed to her and her three companies in 2004.

The former official is also facing one count of misconduct in public office for allegedly putting the money towards the purchase of a property on Robinson Road.

The prosecution noted that Wilson Fung was at the time responsible for duties such as air service negotiations, designation of carriers and allocation of air traffic rights, while Chan was then the director of three helicopter and airline companies.

Chan faces a charge of offering an advantage to a public servant.