Female guest in ‘Partygate’ scandal charged with giving false information to authorities

Thirty-seven-year-old Celia Wong Sze-nga, one of the guests of the infamous “Partygate” scandal early this year, has been charged with submitting false information to health officers and saw her case adjourned to October 25.

Wong is the honorary chairperson of the Youth Committee of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong. She is also the daughter of the owner of Wing Yuen Tea House, an established local tea company founded in 1982.

The “Partygate” scandal centered around Witman Hung Wai-man, a Hong Kong deputy to the National People’s Congress, whose birthday party in January – joined by over 100 guests including principal government officials, political heavyweights, and business tycoons – sparked outcries over Covid concerns and authorities’ double standards.

Wong faces seven counts of knowingly giving false information to an authorized health officer between January 4 to 7.

She also faces a count of failing to comply with health officer’s requirements for not submitting her whereabouts recorded in the Covid tracing app LeaveHomeSafe between December 15 and 30, 2021.

The case was mentioned in Kowloon City Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, and Wong’s legal representative appeared alone before deputy magistrate Yu Cheuk-man.

Yu recommended that Wong appears in the courtroom next time as she warned there could be an imprisonment sentence upon conviction. Otherwise, the court may issue an arrest warrant to hunt her down.

Yu then adjourned the case to October 25, giving more time for the defense to go through 53 documents and for Wong to seek legal advice.
×