Outgoing ICAC investigation chief’s message: evidence is everything, and who you are won’t save you
- After 35 years fighting crime, Ricky Chu is stepping down from the Independent Commission Against Corruption
- In his final interview before leaving, the veteran investigator hints at why former chief executive Leung Chun-ying wasn’t charged
Following the evidence is the sole consideration in any case and the social status of a suspect does not play a part in deciding if charges should be brought, the departing investigation chief of Hong Kong’s anti-corruption watchdog has said.
Officials have previously been criticised for not getting an outside opinion before dropping their inquiry into a case involving the city’s former chief executive Leung Chun-ying, who was paid a total of HK$50 million (US$6.4 million) by Australian engineering firm UGL, before and after he became the city’s leader. Leung received the money as part of the acquisition of his firm DTZ by UGL in 2011.
“We only look at one thing, the evidence,” Chu said in an interview marking the end of his 35 years of service, while stressing that he was not talking about any specific case.
“You can’t force something out of nothing. If evidence was insufficient in one case, even asking another lawyer for advice would not change the decision [not to prosecute].”
