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Mar 2023Ex-assistant general manager of newspaper company’s advertising department and two subordinates charged with bribery by ICACA former assistant general manager of the advertising department of a newspaper company was charged by the ICAC today (March 30) for allegedly soliciting and accepting bribes totalling over $120,000 from four subordinates, involving commissions payable to the subordinates for securing event sponsorships. Also charged in the case were two of the subordinates who offered bribes to the assistant general manager.Daniel Wu Hang-chi, also known as Wu Che-hang, 42, former assistant general manager of the advertising department of Hong Kong Commercial Daily (HKCD); Lee Kwok-wai, 49, former sales representatives of HKCD; and Ngo Kam-fai, 43, sales representatives of HKCD, face a total of eight charges – three of conspiracy for an agent to solicit an advantage and five of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Sections 9(1)(a) and 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.The three defendants were released on ICAC bail. They would appear at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts next Monday (April 3), pending the prosecution’s application for transferring the case to the District Court.At that time, Wu was the assistant general manager of the advertising department of HKCD. He was responsible for overseeing the operations of the department and supervising sales representatives, including Lee and Ngo. Sales representatives were responsible for sourcing sponsors for various events organised by HKCD and were entitled to 10 per cent of the sponsorships secured as commission.Between November 2019 and November 2021, Lee, Ngo and another two sales representatives secured various sponsorships totalling over $3.5 million for four events.It is alleged that Wu and Lee conspired together to solicit three bribes totalling about $35,000 from the above two sales representatives as a reward for Wu to assist the duo to obtain sponsorship for two of the events. The bribes were equivalent to 30 per cent of the commissions payable to the two sales representatives in relation to the events. They both rejected the two defendants’ requests.In addition, Lee and Ngo allegedly offered four bribes totalling about $83,000 and a bribe of $5,000 to Wu respectively for assisting Lee and Ngo to obtain sponsorships for the aforementioned events.HKCD has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 29
Mar 2023Court orders to confiscate $7.8m from convicted consultancy firm director in ICAC caseThe District Court today (March 29) ordered to confiscate crime proceeds of $7.8 million from a director of a consultancy firm, who was convicted in an ICAC case for conspiring with a director of an engineering company to defraud a project developer of a hotel development project in relation to the award of a plumbing and drainage installation contract.Wong Wing-chau, director of Saneseed Limited (Saneseed); and Ma Sau-kam, director of Panocean Engineering Limited (Panocean), were found guilty on April 26, 2022 at the District Court of one count of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Common Law. Pursuant to the Section 8 of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance, the prosecution made an application for confiscating the illicit gains of Wong on the same day.Sentencing of Wong, who had passed away in mid-May 2022, was subsequently abated while Ma was sentenced to 39 months’ imprisonment.Deputy Judge Ms Katherine Lo Kit-yee today approved the prosecution’s application and ordered to confiscate crime proceeds of $7.8 million from Wong. His estate administrator is required to satisfy the confiscation order.An ICAC spokesperson notes that the Commission has established a dedicated unit in 2010 to deal with restraint, disclosure and confiscation of criminal assets. The Asset Recovery Office of the Operations Department will continue to pursue confiscation of ill-gotten gains and apply for confiscation orders to deprive criminals of benefiting from crime connected with bribery and related offences.At the material time, Wong was the sole director and shareholder of Saneseed, an electrical and mechanical consultant. Wong’s son and Ma were both directors and shareholders of Panocean, an engineering company. Meanwhile, Ma was also an employee of Gloryfield Engineering Limited (Gloryfield), another company of Wong.Champion Success Limited (Champion) was the project developer of a hotel redevelopment project in Mongkok. In March 2011, Champion named Saneseed as an electrical and mechanical consultant of the project to provide consultancy service covering fire services installation, electrical installation, mechanical ventilation and air conditioning installation, as well as plumbing and drainage installation (the four works areas).Saneseed was required to assist Champion in drawing up a tender list for the four works areas and choosing a suitable contractor. Saneseed would also supervise and monitor the relevant works conducted. Panocean was one of the contractors which submitted tenders for the works and was strongly recommended by Wong.Upon the arrangement by Wong and Ma, two “managers” of Panocean attended the tender interviews hosted by Wong and representatives of Champion. In August 2014, Champion awarded the plumbing and drainage installation contract to Panocean at over $23 million. After obtaining the contract, Panocean subcontracted the relevant works to another company without the permission of Champion.Wong had never declared to Champion that his son was a director of Panocean nor had he declared to Champion his own interests in and relationship with Panocean. Wong had also induced Champion to award the contract to Panocean by fraudulent means. Should Champion know Wong’s interests in and relationship with Panocean, it would not have invited Panocean to submit tenders or awarded the contract to Panocean.The offence was revealed in the course of a corruption investigation by the ICAC. Enquiries revealed that Panocean had no employee. An employee of Gloryfield and a business partner of Wong attended the above tender interviews as “managers” of Panocean. All tendering documents of Panocean were submitted to Champion by Ma upon Wong’s instructions.Champion had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.The prosecution was today represented by Acting Senior Public Prosecutor Lucas Lai, assisted by ICAC officer Keith Kwok. 29
Mar 2023Ex-site team leader charged by ICAC jailed for soliciting and accepting bribes from public hospital expansion project workersA former site team leader of a subcontractor of an expansion project of the United Christian Hospital, charged by the ICAC, was today (March 29) sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts for soliciting and accepting illegal rebates totalling $14,200 from three carpenters and bar benders for securing their employment with the subcontractor and being favourably disposed to them at work.Tsoi Wai-tung, 45, former site team leader of Star Power Engineering Limited (Star Power), was earlier convicted of two counts of conspiracy for an agent to accept advantages and one count of agent soliciting an advantage, contrary to sections 9(1)(a) and 9(1)(b) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.In sentencing, Magistrate Mr. Lam Tsz-kan reprimanded the defendant for abusing his capacity as a site team leader in exploiting workers and robbing their hard-earned money. Workers who were disadvantaged and worried about losing their jobs would often give in.The Magistrate also ordered the defendant to pay a restitution of $14,200, equivalent to the amount of illegal rebates concerned, to Star Power.An ICAC spokesperson urges construction workers not to tolerate corruption. Should they be asked to pay illegal rebates in exchange for their employment, they should report to the ICAC immediately. Report corruption hotline: 25 266 366.In order to strengthen the corruption prevention capabilities of the construction industry and to tackle possible illegal conducts in recruitment, the ICAC has produced the “Corruption Prevention Checklist on Recruitment of Construction Workers”. The construction industry and its frontline workers could also refer to the dedicated webpage tailor-made for the industry.The offences took place between January and May 2021. At the material time, Star Power was a subcontractor for carpentry and bar bending works of the expansion project of the United Christian Hospital and the defendant was a site team leader of Star Power. During the period, he referred a number of workers to work at the construction site under his supervision at a daily wage ranging from about $1,300 to $1,400.The court heard that the defendant requested three of the workers to pay him illegal rebates of $100 or $200 per working day for securing and continuing their employment with Star Power. One of the workers, who rejected to pay any illegal rebate to the defendant, was assigned to take up difficult tasks. The worker resigned four days later.The remaining two workers acceded to the defendant’s requests to secure their jobs. The defendant subsequently accepted illegal rebates of $5,600 and $8,600 respectively, totalling $14,200, from the duo. One of them was terminated by the defendant after he asked the defendant to lower the amount of the illegal rebate.Star Power had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Mark Wei, assisted by ICAC officer Edison Lieh. 27
Mar 2023Ex-IO member admits using false cash memos to claim works payment revealed in ICAC graft probeA then member of the Incorporated Owners (IO) of a private residential building in Sham Shui Po, charged by the ICAC, today (March 27) admitted at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts that he had used false cash memos to claim works payment of over $10,000 from the IO. The offences were revealed in the course of a corruption investigation by the ICAC.Wong Suk-wing, 49, then member of the IO of Cheong Yuen Building, pleaded guilty to four counts of using a false instrument, contrary to Section 73 of the Crimes Ordinance.Acting Principal Magistrate Miss Veronica Heung Shuk-han adjourned the case to April 24 for sentence, pending the defendant’s background and community service order reports. The defendant was granted bail.The court heard that in early 2019, the IO of Cheong Yuen Building appointed the defendant, who was its member, to obtain quotations from contractors for the replacement of four fire doors. The defendant proposed to engage a friend to repair the doors at $12,000 instead of replacing them. The IO agreed and subcontracted the works to the defendant.Upon completion of the works, the IO requested the defendant to provide the relevant cash memos certified by him for processing the works payment. In March 2019, the defendant submitted three cash memos purportedly issued by three building material suppliers in the total sum of over $10,000 to the IO to claim the works payment.The IO subsequently found a discrepancy between the Chinese characters and the Arabic numerals in one of the cash memos. After being requested by the IO to confirm the amount involved, the defendant submitted another cash memo to the IO.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that the four cash memos contained false information. The issuing dates or the monetary values on some of the memos were altered. Had the IO known that the contents of the memos were false, it would not have made the payment.The IO of Cheong Yuen Building had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Hay Yip. 24
Mar 2023Fireman charged over $300,000 loan fraud revealed in ICAC graft probeIn the course of a corruption investigation by the ICAC, it was revealed that a Fireman allegedly deceived a financial institution into granting him a loan of $300,000 by not making full disclosure of his outstanding loans. The Fireman was charged by the ICAC with fraud yesterday (March 23).Lee Lit-fung, 26, faces one count of fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance. He was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance in the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts next Monday (March 27) for plea.In April 2021, the defendant applied for a loan of $400,000 with Public Finance Limited (Public Finance) and declared on the application form that he only had two outstanding loans totalling over $130,000. Public Finance subsequently granted a loan of $300,000 to the defendant.The defendant allegedly falsely represented to Public Finance that the information he provided in the loan application form was true and complete, and that he had no other outstanding loans except those declared in the form, and with intent to defraud, induced Public Finance to grant the abovementioned loan to him.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that the defendant did not make full disclosure of his outstanding loans to Public Finance, including two outstanding loans totalling about $180,000 granted by a bank and another financial institution respectively.Had Public Finance known that the defendant had undisclosed outstanding loans, or that the information provided in the loan application form was not true and complete, it would not have granted the loan of $300,000 to the defendant.Public Finance has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
Mar 2023Ex-assistant general manager of newspaper company’s advertising department and two subordinates charged with bribery by ICACA former assistant general manager of the advertising department of a newspaper company was charged by the ICAC today (March 30) for allegedly soliciting and accepting bribes totalling over $120,000 from four subordinates, involving commissions payable to the subordinates for securing event sponsorships. Also charged in the case were two of the subordinates who offered bribes to the assistant general manager.Daniel Wu Hang-chi, also known as Wu Che-hang, 42, former assistant general manager of the advertising department of Hong Kong Commercial Daily (HKCD); Lee Kwok-wai, 49, former sales representatives of HKCD; and Ngo Kam-fai, 43, sales representatives of HKCD, face a total of eight charges – three of conspiracy for an agent to solicit an advantage and five of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Sections 9(1)(a) and 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.The three defendants were released on ICAC bail. They would appear at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts next Monday (April 3), pending the prosecution’s application for transferring the case to the District Court.At that time, Wu was the assistant general manager of the advertising department of HKCD. He was responsible for overseeing the operations of the department and supervising sales representatives, including Lee and Ngo. Sales representatives were responsible for sourcing sponsors for various events organised by HKCD and were entitled to 10 per cent of the sponsorships secured as commission.Between November 2019 and November 2021, Lee, Ngo and another two sales representatives secured various sponsorships totalling over $3.5 million for four events.It is alleged that Wu and Lee conspired together to solicit three bribes totalling about $35,000 from the above two sales representatives as a reward for Wu to assist the duo to obtain sponsorship for two of the events. The bribes were equivalent to 30 per cent of the commissions payable to the two sales representatives in relation to the events. They both rejected the two defendants’ requests.In addition, Lee and Ngo allegedly offered four bribes totalling about $83,000 and a bribe of $5,000 to Wu respectively for assisting Lee and Ngo to obtain sponsorships for the aforementioned events.HKCD has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 29
Mar 2023Court orders to confiscate $7.8m from convicted consultancy firm director in ICAC caseThe District Court today (March 29) ordered to confiscate crime proceeds of $7.8 million from a director of a consultancy firm, who was convicted in an ICAC case for conspiring with a director of an engineering company to defraud a project developer of a hotel development project in relation to the award of a plumbing and drainage installation contract.Wong Wing-chau, director of Saneseed Limited (Saneseed); and Ma Sau-kam, director of Panocean Engineering Limited (Panocean), were found guilty on April 26, 2022 at the District Court of one count of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Common Law. Pursuant to the Section 8 of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance, the prosecution made an application for confiscating the illicit gains of Wong on the same day.Sentencing of Wong, who had passed away in mid-May 2022, was subsequently abated while Ma was sentenced to 39 months’ imprisonment.Deputy Judge Ms Katherine Lo Kit-yee today approved the prosecution’s application and ordered to confiscate crime proceeds of $7.8 million from Wong. His estate administrator is required to satisfy the confiscation order.An ICAC spokesperson notes that the Commission has established a dedicated unit in 2010 to deal with restraint, disclosure and confiscation of criminal assets. The Asset Recovery Office of the Operations Department will continue to pursue confiscation of ill-gotten gains and apply for confiscation orders to deprive criminals of benefiting from crime connected with bribery and related offences.At the material time, Wong was the sole director and shareholder of Saneseed, an electrical and mechanical consultant. Wong’s son and Ma were both directors and shareholders of Panocean, an engineering company. Meanwhile, Ma was also an employee of Gloryfield Engineering Limited (Gloryfield), another company of Wong.Champion Success Limited (Champion) was the project developer of a hotel redevelopment project in Mongkok. In March 2011, Champion named Saneseed as an electrical and mechanical consultant of the project to provide consultancy service covering fire services installation, electrical installation, mechanical ventilation and air conditioning installation, as well as plumbing and drainage installation (the four works areas).Saneseed was required to assist Champion in drawing up a tender list for the four works areas and choosing a suitable contractor. Saneseed would also supervise and monitor the relevant works conducted. Panocean was one of the contractors which submitted tenders for the works and was strongly recommended by Wong.Upon the arrangement by Wong and Ma, two “managers” of Panocean attended the tender interviews hosted by Wong and representatives of Champion. In August 2014, Champion awarded the plumbing and drainage installation contract to Panocean at over $23 million. After obtaining the contract, Panocean subcontracted the relevant works to another company without the permission of Champion.Wong had never declared to Champion that his son was a director of Panocean nor had he declared to Champion his own interests in and relationship with Panocean. Wong had also induced Champion to award the contract to Panocean by fraudulent means. Should Champion know Wong’s interests in and relationship with Panocean, it would not have invited Panocean to submit tenders or awarded the contract to Panocean.The offence was revealed in the course of a corruption investigation by the ICAC. Enquiries revealed that Panocean had no employee. An employee of Gloryfield and a business partner of Wong attended the above tender interviews as “managers” of Panocean. All tendering documents of Panocean were submitted to Champion by Ma upon Wong’s instructions.Champion had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.The prosecution was today represented by Acting Senior Public Prosecutor Lucas Lai, assisted by ICAC officer Keith Kwok. 29
Mar 2023Ex-site team leader charged by ICAC jailed for soliciting and accepting bribes from public hospital expansion project workersA former site team leader of a subcontractor of an expansion project of the United Christian Hospital, charged by the ICAC, was today (March 29) sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts for soliciting and accepting illegal rebates totalling $14,200 from three carpenters and bar benders for securing their employment with the subcontractor and being favourably disposed to them at work.Tsoi Wai-tung, 45, former site team leader of Star Power Engineering Limited (Star Power), was earlier convicted of two counts of conspiracy for an agent to accept advantages and one count of agent soliciting an advantage, contrary to sections 9(1)(a) and 9(1)(b) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.In sentencing, Magistrate Mr. Lam Tsz-kan reprimanded the defendant for abusing his capacity as a site team leader in exploiting workers and robbing their hard-earned money. Workers who were disadvantaged and worried about losing their jobs would often give in.The Magistrate also ordered the defendant to pay a restitution of $14,200, equivalent to the amount of illegal rebates concerned, to Star Power.An ICAC spokesperson urges construction workers not to tolerate corruption. Should they be asked to pay illegal rebates in exchange for their employment, they should report to the ICAC immediately. Report corruption hotline: 25 266 366.In order to strengthen the corruption prevention capabilities of the construction industry and to tackle possible illegal conducts in recruitment, the ICAC has produced the “Corruption Prevention Checklist on Recruitment of Construction Workers”. The construction industry and its frontline workers could also refer to the dedicated webpage tailor-made for the industry.The offences took place between January and May 2021. At the material time, Star Power was a subcontractor for carpentry and bar bending works of the expansion project of the United Christian Hospital and the defendant was a site team leader of Star Power. During the period, he referred a number of workers to work at the construction site under his supervision at a daily wage ranging from about $1,300 to $1,400.The court heard that the defendant requested three of the workers to pay him illegal rebates of $100 or $200 per working day for securing and continuing their employment with Star Power. One of the workers, who rejected to pay any illegal rebate to the defendant, was assigned to take up difficult tasks. The worker resigned four days later.The remaining two workers acceded to the defendant’s requests to secure their jobs. The defendant subsequently accepted illegal rebates of $5,600 and $8,600 respectively, totalling $14,200, from the duo. One of them was terminated by the defendant after he asked the defendant to lower the amount of the illegal rebate.Star Power had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Mark Wei, assisted by ICAC officer Edison Lieh. 27
Mar 2023Ex-IO member admits using false cash memos to claim works payment revealed in ICAC graft probeA then member of the Incorporated Owners (IO) of a private residential building in Sham Shui Po, charged by the ICAC, today (March 27) admitted at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts that he had used false cash memos to claim works payment of over $10,000 from the IO. The offences were revealed in the course of a corruption investigation by the ICAC.Wong Suk-wing, 49, then member of the IO of Cheong Yuen Building, pleaded guilty to four counts of using a false instrument, contrary to Section 73 of the Crimes Ordinance.Acting Principal Magistrate Miss Veronica Heung Shuk-han adjourned the case to April 24 for sentence, pending the defendant’s background and community service order reports. The defendant was granted bail.The court heard that in early 2019, the IO of Cheong Yuen Building appointed the defendant, who was its member, to obtain quotations from contractors for the replacement of four fire doors. The defendant proposed to engage a friend to repair the doors at $12,000 instead of replacing them. The IO agreed and subcontracted the works to the defendant.Upon completion of the works, the IO requested the defendant to provide the relevant cash memos certified by him for processing the works payment. In March 2019, the defendant submitted three cash memos purportedly issued by three building material suppliers in the total sum of over $10,000 to the IO to claim the works payment.The IO subsequently found a discrepancy between the Chinese characters and the Arabic numerals in one of the cash memos. After being requested by the IO to confirm the amount involved, the defendant submitted another cash memo to the IO.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that the four cash memos contained false information. The issuing dates or the monetary values on some of the memos were altered. Had the IO known that the contents of the memos were false, it would not have made the payment.The IO of Cheong Yuen Building had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Hay Yip. 24
Mar 2023Fireman charged over $300,000 loan fraud revealed in ICAC graft probeIn the course of a corruption investigation by the ICAC, it was revealed that a Fireman allegedly deceived a financial institution into granting him a loan of $300,000 by not making full disclosure of his outstanding loans. The Fireman was charged by the ICAC with fraud yesterday (March 23).Lee Lit-fung, 26, faces one count of fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance. He was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance in the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts next Monday (March 27) for plea.In April 2021, the defendant applied for a loan of $400,000 with Public Finance Limited (Public Finance) and declared on the application form that he only had two outstanding loans totalling over $130,000. Public Finance subsequently granted a loan of $300,000 to the defendant.The defendant allegedly falsely represented to Public Finance that the information he provided in the loan application form was true and complete, and that he had no other outstanding loans except those declared in the form, and with intent to defraud, induced Public Finance to grant the abovementioned loan to him.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that the defendant did not make full disclosure of his outstanding loans to Public Finance, including two outstanding loans totalling about $180,000 granted by a bank and another financial institution respectively.Had Public Finance known that the defendant had undisclosed outstanding loans, or that the information provided in the loan application form was not true and complete, it would not have granted the loan of $300,000 to the defendant.Public Finance has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.