The case of the careless signature was under the microscope again yesterday at the appeal hearing of disgraced anti-drug czar Moek Dara and his second-in-command Chea Leng, as presiding judge Chay Chandaravann listed occas­ions Dara had signed off on Leng’s corrupt activities.

Dara continued to deny complicity in Leng’s actions, saying he was often too busy to read Leng’s reports thoroughly.

“I accepted that I had signed on Chea Leng’s reports but I was not aware that it was fake,” he said.

Judge Chandaravann examined the ninth and 11th of 25 cor­­ruption cases against Dara and Leng, who were given life sentences by a lower court.

The cases on appeal yesterday filled the now-familiar process of corruption exercised by the pair.

Leng would lead police to crack down on drug traffickers; he would then identify them as users, ensuring them a brief stint in rehab before their release without charge.

In return, Dara would sign off on the fraudulent police reports and collect half the bribe recouped by Leng.

The hearings continue today.

To contact the reporter on this story: Buth Reaksmey Kongkea at [email protected]