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Prison for deaf-mute dole cheat - The Standard
An elderly deaf-mute hawker who sold porn to support a second wife, stepson and three girlfriends has been jailed for 16 months for scamming more than HK$335,000 in dole over a 24-year period.
In sentencing yesterday, Tsuen Wan magistrate Lambert Lee Ka- chai said Leung Chung-kee, 76, should be punished with a jail term for his dishonesty over that long period.
The Social Welfare Department welcomed the sentence, saying those who cheat will be punished. But a spokesman admitted that with 280,000 recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, the department can only try its best to make sure dole recipients are genuine. He added that less than 1 percent of recipients have been found to be cheats.
The court heard Leung claimed to have had no income when he applied for assistance in 1985. Over the years, social welfare officials were kept in the dark about his financial status although they made 30 attempts to verify his eligibility.
While on the dole, Leung had been making a living selling secondhand obscene magazines and video tapes in Sham Shui Po.
He also subletted stall space to other hawkers, making HK$6,000 a month in rent from 2008 to 2009.
Leung was arrested for fraud in July, eight months after he stopped claiming benefits.
The magistrate said Leung, who claimed HK$335,369.82 over the years, did not carry out the fraud due to ignorance or any financial difficulties.
Leung, who claimed to have had three girlfriends and a divorced wife, also faces a separate charge of gambling.
The case sparked concerns that public money is benefiting dole cheats who are leading above- average lifestyles.
However, the Social Welfare Department stressed that stringent rules are in place to ensure dole recipients are genuinely in need. Claimants are also subject to regular interviews and home visits, the spokesman added.
However, social worker Au Yeung Tat-chor said it is difficult to catch cheats "unless you stalk the recipient round the clock."
Last year, 989 dole recipients were found to have hid their true financial status. This accounts for 0.34 percent of all CSSA cases.
Last month, Leung pleaded guilty to fraud and also agreed not to collect the HK$1,280 to which he is entitled to as a disabled person for the next 262 months to repay the money he collected from the department.
A government spokesman said Leung is still eligible for disability allowance despite his conviction.
An elderly deaf-mute hawker who sold porn to support a second wife, stepson and three girlfriends has been jailed for 16 months for scamming more than HK$335,000 in dole over a 24-year period.
In sentencing yesterday, Tsuen Wan magistrate Lambert Lee Ka- chai said Leung Chung-kee, 76, should be punished with a jail term for his dishonesty over that long period.
The Social Welfare Department welcomed the sentence, saying those who cheat will be punished. But a spokesman admitted that with 280,000 recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, the department can only try its best to make sure dole recipients are genuine. He added that less than 1 percent of recipients have been found to be cheats.
The court heard Leung claimed to have had no income when he applied for assistance in 1985. Over the years, social welfare officials were kept in the dark about his financial status although they made 30 attempts to verify his eligibility.
While on the dole, Leung had been making a living selling secondhand obscene magazines and video tapes in Sham Shui Po.
He also subletted stall space to other hawkers, making HK$6,000 a month in rent from 2008 to 2009.
Leung was arrested for fraud in July, eight months after he stopped claiming benefits.
The magistrate said Leung, who claimed HK$335,369.82 over the years, did not carry out the fraud due to ignorance or any financial difficulties.
Leung, who claimed to have had three girlfriends and a divorced wife, also faces a separate charge of gambling.
The case sparked concerns that public money is benefiting dole cheats who are leading above- average lifestyles.
However, the Social Welfare Department stressed that stringent rules are in place to ensure dole recipients are genuinely in need. Claimants are also subject to regular interviews and home visits, the spokesman added.
However, social worker Au Yeung Tat-chor said it is difficult to catch cheats "unless you stalk the recipient round the clock."
Last year, 989 dole recipients were found to have hid their true financial status. This accounts for 0.34 percent of all CSSA cases.
Last month, Leung pleaded guilty to fraud and also agreed not to collect the HK$1,280 to which he is entitled to as a disabled person for the next 262 months to repay the money he collected from the department.
A government spokesman said Leung is still eligible for disability allowance despite his conviction.