Hong Kong anti-corruption agency charges ex-official at securities watchdog
Deng Yingxia, 48, a former Securities and Futures Commission associate director, is accused of providing advice to suspects under investigation
Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency has charged a former senior official from the securities watchdog with obstructing justice by offering advice to individuals involved in an investigation linked to a listed company.
Deng Yingxia, 48, a former associate director of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) assigned to the market misconduct team of the enforcement division, is facing one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice.
The SFC had been investigating suspected false trading and market manipulation activities related to China Gas Industry Investment Holdings Company, an industrial gas supplier operating in Hebei province.
Deng had access to confidential information from the investigation although she was not directly involved in the investigative work, the ICAC said on Thursday. She was not allowed to disclose such information to unauthorised parties, an ICAC spokesman said.
It is alleged that between July 15 and 27, 2022, the defendant had conspired with a subject of the investigation to pervert the course of public justice.
“She had allegedly met that person and other subjects of the investigation, and provided advice on the possible investigative actions of the SFC and how to cope with the SFC probe, including advising them how to answer possible questions posed by the SFC and advising them to destroy potential evidence,” the ICAC said.
