A former Monetary Authority head appeared at Eastern Magistracy today accused of using false documents to receive housing allowances.

Peter Hsueh, 68, pleaded not guilty to two counts of using a false document with intent to deceive his principal, contrary to the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.

Magistrate David Dufton adjourned the case to July 4, for pre-trial review. The defendant was granted bail of $20,000 in cash.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption charges allege the defendant used Application for Housing & Holiday Allowances Forms containing false statements to deceive the authority.

He is alleged to have falsely declared in the applications that he was eligible to claim and receive housing allowances in respect of the rented accommodation specified in the forms.

He is also alleged to have falsely claimed that he or a relative did not own the rented accommodation for which he was claiming allowances, and that his claim represented a genuine rental transaction at market rates.

The alleged offences took place between April 13, 1998 and May 3, 1999. It is alleged that housing allowances of $660,000 and $495,000 were granted to him for the 1997/98 and 1998/99 financial years respectively as a result of the suspected fraud.

Meanwhile, a former property agent was today convicted at the District Court for offering "secret commissions" to a China Light & Power property officer for securing business deals.

Sun Ling, 35, formerly employed by Emperor Consultants, was found guilty on four counts of offering an advantage to a public servant.

Deputy Judge Ian Candy adjourned sentencing until June 9, pending background and community service order reports. The defendant was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.

The court heard that CLP earlier wanted to purchase a shop premises in Mong Kok. In April, 2002, the defendant, while employed by Emperor, approached the CLP property officer responsible for the purchase and provided information relating to a property on Nathan Road.

CLP offered to buy the property at $46 million, and agreed to pay the property agent 1% of the purchase price as commission.

On June 28 last year, while discussing the deal with the CLP officer, the defendant offered to pay him one-third of the commission as a "secret commission" for the property officer to close the deal with her.

The officer refused the offer and reported the matter to the CLP management. The defendant made a similar offer to the officer over the phone the following month.

During a meeting on August 9, 2002, the defendant told the officer that the landlord counter-offered to sell the property at $68 million. She promised to pay the officer one-third of the commission if he closed the deal with her.

During the meeting, the defendant further offered to pay him one-third of her commissions in future if he could ensure that CLP sold, purchased or leased properties through her company.

The defendant was arrested by ICAC officers after the meeting.

CLP offered full assistance to the ICAC during the investigation.