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Mar 2026Five linked to three housing estates charged in ICAC’s ongoing crackdown on corruption in grand renovation projectsThe ICAC, in its ongoing effort to crack down on corruption in grand renovation projects, charged five individuals in three cases on Monday (March 23) for allegedly offering bribes to members of incorporated owners (IO) and a representative of flat owners in relation to the grand renovation projects of three housing estates with project sums totalling about $90 million. The cases are set for mention at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts this morning (March 25).Paying close attention to corruption in building management and maintenance, the ICAC adopts a three-pronged strategy of law enforcement, systemic prevention and community education, and works closely with other government departments and organisations in combating corruption and other illicit activities in building maintenance works.The ICAC had earlier mounted a joint operation codenamed “Shotgun” with the Competition Commission, resulting in the successful crackdown on a crime syndicate allegedly engaged in manipulating the tendering exercises of building maintenance projects through bribery and bid-rigging. After conducting intensive investigations and seeking legal advice, the ICAC yesterday charged four men and one woman.The five defendants, aged between 42 and 70, are Cheung Kwing-kuen and Chow Shuk-ha, and three middlemen, namely Wong Sheung-yu, Cheng Kwok-foon and Kong Po-choy. They face a total of eight charges – seven of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO), and one of conspiracy to offer an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the POBO and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.The three housing estates in the present cases, Yan Tsui Court in Chai Wan, Hoi Tao Building in Kennedy Town and Victory Garden in Kwai Chung, were undergoing grand renovation projects at the material times.In the first case, the charge alleges that between September 2022 and February 2023, Cheung and Chow, then member secretary of the IO of Yan Tsui Court, conspired together to offer an unspecified sum of money to a then IO member to assist contractors associated with Cheung in securing the grand renovation contract of Yan Tsui Court. The IO member rejected bribes and did not assist the contractors to secure the works contract. At an owners’ meeting, Yan Tsui Court’s grand renovation contract was awarded to Chi Fu Construction (Group) Limited at $39 million by resolution. The resolution was subsequently overturned at another owners’ meeting. At the material time, Chow worked for a company of Cheung. When Cheung assumed the position of the IO’s secretary, she was neither a flat owner nor a resident of Yan Tsui Court.Another case concerns the grand renovation project of Hoi Tao Building. The works contract was originally awarded to a contractor, Cheung Lee Construction Co (Cheung Lee), at $3.1 million by resolution of flat owners. Some flat owners subsequently filed a case with the Lands Tribunal, requesting the overturning of the resolution. The three charges allege that between October 2022 and February 2024, Cheng and Kong, allegedly offered a red packet of an unspecified amount and two bribes of several tens of thousands of dollars and $500,000 respectively, to a representative of flat owners to assist in persuading other flat owners to stop opposing the award of the works contract to Cheung Lee, and to assist in reaching a settlement of the Lands Tribunal case. The representative did not accept the bribes and did not offer any assistance to the duo. The Lands Tribunal eventually ruled in favour of the flat owners who filed the case.In the third case, the four charges allege that on four occasions between July 2020 and April 2024, Wong offered an unspecified amount of casino chips and renovation services worth $50,000 to a then member of the IO of Victory Garden to assist the project consultants and contractors recommended by Wong in securing the consultant and works contracts of the grand renovation project of housing estate. The IO member did not accept the advantages offered by Wong and did not assist the project consultants or contractors in obtaining any contracts. The consultancy contract for the grand renovation project of Victory Garden was eventually awarded to Will Power Architects Company Limited while the relevant works contract worth over $21 million was awarded to Smart Goal Construction Engineering Limited.As the relevant corruption investigation is continuing, further prosecutions will not be ruled out.The ICAC urges members of the public and practitioners of the building management and maintenance industry to report suspected corruption to the ICAC immediately through its 24-hour hotline (25 266 366). 24
Mar 2026Four employees of former TD car testing centre charged by ICAC for fraud over falsified annual examination resultsThe ICAC today (March 24) charged four employees of a former designated car testing centre (DCTC) of the Transport Department (TD) for allegedly assisting a number of private cars to pass the annual vehicle examination by falsifying exhaust emission test results. Following ICAC’s law enforcement action, TD had removed the centre from the list of DCTCs.Wong Lap-yan, 48, former responsible person (RP) of MD Motors CTC-HK Limited (MD Motors), faces one count of attempted fraud, contrary to section 16A(1) of the Theft Ordinance and section 159G of the Crimes Ordinance.Three former approved car testers (ACTs) of MD Motors, namely Lau Chi-keung and Tam Kin-kwong, both 67; and Robert Ho Ka-wah, 42, jointly face one count of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to the Common Law.The four defendants were released on ICAC bail. The case is set for mention at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday (March 26). The prosecution will later apply to transfer the case to the District Court for plea.According to the Road Traffic Ordinance, before licence renewal, all private vehicles manufactured for six years or more are required to undergo an annual examination at a DCTC appointed by the TD. ACTs are responsible for conducting the annual vehicle examination under the supervision of RPs, and issuing a certificate of roadworthiness for each vehicle which has passed the examination for the car owner to renew its licence.At the material time, MD Motors was a DCTC of TD. One of the charges alleges that between June 2022 and June 2024, three ACTs of MD Motors Lau, Tam and Ho, had conspired together with six other employees, including the manager of the centre, Wong as well as other RPs and other ACTs, to deceive the TD into approving the renewal of vehicle licences of a number of private cars by improperly conducting the annual vehicle examinations of those private vehicles, and falsely represented in the certificates of roadworthiness that the vehicles were roadworthy.Another charge alleges that in May 2024, Wong had improperly conducted the annual vehicle examination of a private car, and falsely represented that the vehicle was roadworthy, and with intent to defraud, attempted to induce the TD to approve the renewal of the vehicle licence of that private car.The ICAC investigation arose from corruption complaints. It was revealed that the four defendants had allegedly falsified results of the exhaust emission test to facilitate private vehicles in passing the annual vehicle examination for making licence renewal applications to the TD. The investigation revealed that the scam involved falsified results of the exhaust emission test. Other test results relating to safety issues were believed to be unaffected.The TD rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case, and had immediately delisted MD Motors from the list of DCTCs following ICAC’s enforcement actions. Meanwhile, the four defendants were no longer appointed as RP or ACT.Following the findings of this case, the TD has immediately implemented a series of initiatives to stamp out malpractices. The ICAC has also completed a corruption prevention review of the vehicle inspection procedures at designated vehicle testing centres and the monitoring procedures of the TD. A number of recommendations were made, including conducting an overall review of the vehicle inspection procedures and providing detailed procedural instructions for vehicle inspections. The TD is proactively implementing the recommendations to mitigate corruption risks in the relevant procedures. 19
Mar 2026Three then bank employees charged by ICAC admit bribery over account openingTwo then bank employees, among five individuals charged by the ICAC, today (March 19) admitted at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts that they had conspired together to accept bribes for assisting clients of the intermediaries to open bank accounts. Another the employee of the bank had earlier entered a guilty plea.Lo Wing-hang, 31, then insurance specialist of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC); and Lo Cheuk-kim, 40, then premier relationship manager of HSBC, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.Co-defendant Wan Hui, 32, then premier business manager of HSBC, earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage.Principal Magistrate Mr David Cheung Chi-wai adjourned the case for sentence, with the sentence of Lo Wing-hang and Wan adjourned to April 14, while Lo Cheuk-kim’s sentence adjourned to May 4. The trio were granted bail.Between November 2022 and February 2025, the three HSBC employees were posted to a branch in North Point. The court heard that Lo Wing-hang had reached an agreement with two intermediaries to assist clients referred by them to open bank accounts at HSBC, and to accept a bribe ranging from HK$500 to HK$1,500 for each successful application.Lo Wing-hang later engaged his colleague Lo Cheuk-kim to assist in opening accounts and paid the latter HK$100 for each successful application. During the period, the duo had accepted bribes totalling over HK$170,000 according to the agreement.Between October 2024 and February 2025, Wan had assisted 12 clients referred by the two intermediaries to open bank accounts and accepted bribes totalling RMB6,000.The court heard that the three bank employees had assisted a total of about 250 clients referred by the two intermediaries to open bank accounts. Seventy of these bank accounts, which were considered to have money laundering risk after being assessed by HSBC, were referred to the relevant law enforcement agency for follow up actions.The two insurance agents cum intermediaries concerned, Han Jie and his wife Zhou Yinying, faced two counts of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage and one count of offering an advantage to an agent. No plea was taken when they appeared at the court today. Their case was adjourned to May 4 for plea.HSBC rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Nathan Choi.The ICAC has long attached great importance to the integrity of bank practitioners. With the full support of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Hong Kong Association of Banks and the banking industry, the ICAC launched the Banking Industry Integrity Charter in 2024 to promote an integrity culture in the industry. The ICAC will continue to enhance its exchange with the industry under the framework of the Charter to heighten practitioners’ sensitivity to corruption risks, and provide continuous integrity training for bank practitioners. 17
Mar 2026Then chairman of listed company charged by ICAC guilty of $2.4m fraud by inflating tax in saloon purchaseA then chairman of a listed company, charged by the ICAC, was today (March 17) convicted at the District Court of deceiving the company into paying about $2.4 million by inflating the first registration tax of a saloon during the purchase.Bruce Lee Chun-pong, 42, former executive director cum chairman of PF Group Holdings Limited (PF Group), was found guilty after trial of one count of fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.Deputy Judge Mr Colin Wong Sze-cheung adjourned the case to April 8 for mitigation, pending for the defendant’s background report. The defendant was allowed bail.The ICAC investigation stemmed from a corruption complaint that revealed the offence. The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was purchasing a saloon for PF Group to promote its car loan business. In early 2021, the defendant made a false representation that the company was required to pay about $2.4 million as the first registration tax of the saloon. ICAC enquiries revealed that the relevant tax amount was inflated by over $800,000. Subsequently, a bank account held by the defendant’s wife received a payment in the sum of over $800,000 made by the relevant car dealer.PF Group has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Eddie Sean, assisted by ICAC officer Wing Chan.The ICAC reminds senior executives of listed companies to comply with the law and uphold a high standard of integrity in order to safeguard the interests of various stakeholders. The ICAC will continue to assist listed companies in enhancing their corruption prevention capabilities and corporate governance. For more details, please visit the “Ethics Promotion Programme for Listed Companies” webpage. 12
Mar 2026Property vendors charged by ICAC for offering bribe to estate agent for waiving agency commissionTwo property vendors were charged by the ICAC yesterday (March 11) for allegedly offering $30,000 in bribe to an estate agent for waiving $155,000 in an agency commission in relation to the sale of a residential property.Leung Kee-ming, 48, and Tse Wai-ling, 34, jointly face one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO). The duo were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance for plea at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (March 13).At the material time, Leung had engaged Centaline Property Agency Limited (Centaline Property) to sell a residential flat on Lantau Island. According to the estate agency agreement he signed with Centaline Property, he agreed to pay one per cent of the property transaction sum as agency commission to Centaline Property upon successful transaction.After subsequently securing a potential buyer for the flat, an estate agent of Centaline Property informed the defendants that an offer of $15.5 million was made. Pursuant to the abovementioned signed estate agency agreement, Leung was required to pay an agency commission of $155,000 to Centaline Property after successful transaction.The estate agent subsequently arranged both Leung and the buyer to sign a preliminary sale and purchase agreement (the preliminary agreement) on December 24, 2023.The charge alleges that on December 23, 2023, one day before the preliminary agreement was scheduled to be signed, the defendants offered a bribe of $30,000 to the estate agent for waiving the agency commission that would be charged by Centaline Property for property transaction.The estate agent rejected the bribe and reported the matter to Centaline Property on the same day. Centaline Property rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.According to Section 9 of the POBO, it is a bribery offence for a person who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, offers an advantage (including money, gifts, loans, commissions, positions, contracts, services, favours, etc.) to an agent (including employees of private organisations) to influence the agent in exercising one’s duties. Members of the public should report suspected corruption to the ICAC without delay.
Mar 2026Five linked to three housing estates charged in ICAC’s ongoing crackdown on corruption in grand renovation projectsThe ICAC, in its ongoing effort to crack down on corruption in grand renovation projects, charged five individuals in three cases on Monday (March 23) for allegedly offering bribes to members of incorporated owners (IO) and a representative of flat owners in relation to the grand renovation projects of three housing estates with project sums totalling about $90 million. The cases are set for mention at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts this morning (March 25).Paying close attention to corruption in building management and maintenance, the ICAC adopts a three-pronged strategy of law enforcement, systemic prevention and community education, and works closely with other government departments and organisations in combating corruption and other illicit activities in building maintenance works.The ICAC had earlier mounted a joint operation codenamed “Shotgun” with the Competition Commission, resulting in the successful crackdown on a crime syndicate allegedly engaged in manipulating the tendering exercises of building maintenance projects through bribery and bid-rigging. After conducting intensive investigations and seeking legal advice, the ICAC yesterday charged four men and one woman.The five defendants, aged between 42 and 70, are Cheung Kwing-kuen and Chow Shuk-ha, and three middlemen, namely Wong Sheung-yu, Cheng Kwok-foon and Kong Po-choy. They face a total of eight charges – seven of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO), and one of conspiracy to offer an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the POBO and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.The three housing estates in the present cases, Yan Tsui Court in Chai Wan, Hoi Tao Building in Kennedy Town and Victory Garden in Kwai Chung, were undergoing grand renovation projects at the material times.In the first case, the charge alleges that between September 2022 and February 2023, Cheung and Chow, then member secretary of the IO of Yan Tsui Court, conspired together to offer an unspecified sum of money to a then IO member to assist contractors associated with Cheung in securing the grand renovation contract of Yan Tsui Court. The IO member rejected bribes and did not assist the contractors to secure the works contract. At an owners’ meeting, Yan Tsui Court’s grand renovation contract was awarded to Chi Fu Construction (Group) Limited at $39 million by resolution. The resolution was subsequently overturned at another owners’ meeting. At the material time, Chow worked for a company of Cheung. When Cheung assumed the position of the IO’s secretary, she was neither a flat owner nor a resident of Yan Tsui Court.Another case concerns the grand renovation project of Hoi Tao Building. The works contract was originally awarded to a contractor, Cheung Lee Construction Co (Cheung Lee), at $3.1 million by resolution of flat owners. Some flat owners subsequently filed a case with the Lands Tribunal, requesting the overturning of the resolution. The three charges allege that between October 2022 and February 2024, Cheng and Kong, allegedly offered a red packet of an unspecified amount and two bribes of several tens of thousands of dollars and $500,000 respectively, to a representative of flat owners to assist in persuading other flat owners to stop opposing the award of the works contract to Cheung Lee, and to assist in reaching a settlement of the Lands Tribunal case. The representative did not accept the bribes and did not offer any assistance to the duo. The Lands Tribunal eventually ruled in favour of the flat owners who filed the case.In the third case, the four charges allege that on four occasions between July 2020 and April 2024, Wong offered an unspecified amount of casino chips and renovation services worth $50,000 to a then member of the IO of Victory Garden to assist the project consultants and contractors recommended by Wong in securing the consultant and works contracts of the grand renovation project of housing estate. The IO member did not accept the advantages offered by Wong and did not assist the project consultants or contractors in obtaining any contracts. The consultancy contract for the grand renovation project of Victory Garden was eventually awarded to Will Power Architects Company Limited while the relevant works contract worth over $21 million was awarded to Smart Goal Construction Engineering Limited.As the relevant corruption investigation is continuing, further prosecutions will not be ruled out.The ICAC urges members of the public and practitioners of the building management and maintenance industry to report suspected corruption to the ICAC immediately through its 24-hour hotline (25 266 366). 24
Mar 2026Four employees of former TD car testing centre charged by ICAC for fraud over falsified annual examination resultsThe ICAC today (March 24) charged four employees of a former designated car testing centre (DCTC) of the Transport Department (TD) for allegedly assisting a number of private cars to pass the annual vehicle examination by falsifying exhaust emission test results. Following ICAC’s law enforcement action, TD had removed the centre from the list of DCTCs.Wong Lap-yan, 48, former responsible person (RP) of MD Motors CTC-HK Limited (MD Motors), faces one count of attempted fraud, contrary to section 16A(1) of the Theft Ordinance and section 159G of the Crimes Ordinance.Three former approved car testers (ACTs) of MD Motors, namely Lau Chi-keung and Tam Kin-kwong, both 67; and Robert Ho Ka-wah, 42, jointly face one count of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to the Common Law.The four defendants were released on ICAC bail. The case is set for mention at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday (March 26). The prosecution will later apply to transfer the case to the District Court for plea.According to the Road Traffic Ordinance, before licence renewal, all private vehicles manufactured for six years or more are required to undergo an annual examination at a DCTC appointed by the TD. ACTs are responsible for conducting the annual vehicle examination under the supervision of RPs, and issuing a certificate of roadworthiness for each vehicle which has passed the examination for the car owner to renew its licence.At the material time, MD Motors was a DCTC of TD. One of the charges alleges that between June 2022 and June 2024, three ACTs of MD Motors Lau, Tam and Ho, had conspired together with six other employees, including the manager of the centre, Wong as well as other RPs and other ACTs, to deceive the TD into approving the renewal of vehicle licences of a number of private cars by improperly conducting the annual vehicle examinations of those private vehicles, and falsely represented in the certificates of roadworthiness that the vehicles were roadworthy.Another charge alleges that in May 2024, Wong had improperly conducted the annual vehicle examination of a private car, and falsely represented that the vehicle was roadworthy, and with intent to defraud, attempted to induce the TD to approve the renewal of the vehicle licence of that private car.The ICAC investigation arose from corruption complaints. It was revealed that the four defendants had allegedly falsified results of the exhaust emission test to facilitate private vehicles in passing the annual vehicle examination for making licence renewal applications to the TD. The investigation revealed that the scam involved falsified results of the exhaust emission test. Other test results relating to safety issues were believed to be unaffected.The TD rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case, and had immediately delisted MD Motors from the list of DCTCs following ICAC’s enforcement actions. Meanwhile, the four defendants were no longer appointed as RP or ACT.Following the findings of this case, the TD has immediately implemented a series of initiatives to stamp out malpractices. The ICAC has also completed a corruption prevention review of the vehicle inspection procedures at designated vehicle testing centres and the monitoring procedures of the TD. A number of recommendations were made, including conducting an overall review of the vehicle inspection procedures and providing detailed procedural instructions for vehicle inspections. The TD is proactively implementing the recommendations to mitigate corruption risks in the relevant procedures. 19
Mar 2026Three then bank employees charged by ICAC admit bribery over account openingTwo then bank employees, among five individuals charged by the ICAC, today (March 19) admitted at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts that they had conspired together to accept bribes for assisting clients of the intermediaries to open bank accounts. Another the employee of the bank had earlier entered a guilty plea.Lo Wing-hang, 31, then insurance specialist of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC); and Lo Cheuk-kim, 40, then premier relationship manager of HSBC, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.Co-defendant Wan Hui, 32, then premier business manager of HSBC, earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage.Principal Magistrate Mr David Cheung Chi-wai adjourned the case for sentence, with the sentence of Lo Wing-hang and Wan adjourned to April 14, while Lo Cheuk-kim’s sentence adjourned to May 4. The trio were granted bail.Between November 2022 and February 2025, the three HSBC employees were posted to a branch in North Point. The court heard that Lo Wing-hang had reached an agreement with two intermediaries to assist clients referred by them to open bank accounts at HSBC, and to accept a bribe ranging from HK$500 to HK$1,500 for each successful application.Lo Wing-hang later engaged his colleague Lo Cheuk-kim to assist in opening accounts and paid the latter HK$100 for each successful application. During the period, the duo had accepted bribes totalling over HK$170,000 according to the agreement.Between October 2024 and February 2025, Wan had assisted 12 clients referred by the two intermediaries to open bank accounts and accepted bribes totalling RMB6,000.The court heard that the three bank employees had assisted a total of about 250 clients referred by the two intermediaries to open bank accounts. Seventy of these bank accounts, which were considered to have money laundering risk after being assessed by HSBC, were referred to the relevant law enforcement agency for follow up actions.The two insurance agents cum intermediaries concerned, Han Jie and his wife Zhou Yinying, faced two counts of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage and one count of offering an advantage to an agent. No plea was taken when they appeared at the court today. Their case was adjourned to May 4 for plea.HSBC rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Nathan Choi.The ICAC has long attached great importance to the integrity of bank practitioners. With the full support of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Hong Kong Association of Banks and the banking industry, the ICAC launched the Banking Industry Integrity Charter in 2024 to promote an integrity culture in the industry. The ICAC will continue to enhance its exchange with the industry under the framework of the Charter to heighten practitioners’ sensitivity to corruption risks, and provide continuous integrity training for bank practitioners. 17
Mar 2026Then chairman of listed company charged by ICAC guilty of $2.4m fraud by inflating tax in saloon purchaseA then chairman of a listed company, charged by the ICAC, was today (March 17) convicted at the District Court of deceiving the company into paying about $2.4 million by inflating the first registration tax of a saloon during the purchase.Bruce Lee Chun-pong, 42, former executive director cum chairman of PF Group Holdings Limited (PF Group), was found guilty after trial of one count of fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.Deputy Judge Mr Colin Wong Sze-cheung adjourned the case to April 8 for mitigation, pending for the defendant’s background report. The defendant was allowed bail.The ICAC investigation stemmed from a corruption complaint that revealed the offence. The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was purchasing a saloon for PF Group to promote its car loan business. In early 2021, the defendant made a false representation that the company was required to pay about $2.4 million as the first registration tax of the saloon. ICAC enquiries revealed that the relevant tax amount was inflated by over $800,000. Subsequently, a bank account held by the defendant’s wife received a payment in the sum of over $800,000 made by the relevant car dealer.PF Group has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Eddie Sean, assisted by ICAC officer Wing Chan.The ICAC reminds senior executives of listed companies to comply with the law and uphold a high standard of integrity in order to safeguard the interests of various stakeholders. The ICAC will continue to assist listed companies in enhancing their corruption prevention capabilities and corporate governance. For more details, please visit the “Ethics Promotion Programme for Listed Companies” webpage. 12
Mar 2026Property vendors charged by ICAC for offering bribe to estate agent for waiving agency commissionTwo property vendors were charged by the ICAC yesterday (March 11) for allegedly offering $30,000 in bribe to an estate agent for waiving $155,000 in an agency commission in relation to the sale of a residential property.Leung Kee-ming, 48, and Tse Wai-ling, 34, jointly face one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO). The duo were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance for plea at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (March 13).At the material time, Leung had engaged Centaline Property Agency Limited (Centaline Property) to sell a residential flat on Lantau Island. According to the estate agency agreement he signed with Centaline Property, he agreed to pay one per cent of the property transaction sum as agency commission to Centaline Property upon successful transaction.After subsequently securing a potential buyer for the flat, an estate agent of Centaline Property informed the defendants that an offer of $15.5 million was made. Pursuant to the abovementioned signed estate agency agreement, Leung was required to pay an agency commission of $155,000 to Centaline Property after successful transaction.The estate agent subsequently arranged both Leung and the buyer to sign a preliminary sale and purchase agreement (the preliminary agreement) on December 24, 2023.The charge alleges that on December 23, 2023, one day before the preliminary agreement was scheduled to be signed, the defendants offered a bribe of $30,000 to the estate agent for waiving the agency commission that would be charged by Centaline Property for property transaction.The estate agent rejected the bribe and reported the matter to Centaline Property on the same day. Centaline Property rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.According to Section 9 of the POBO, it is a bribery offence for a person who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, offers an advantage (including money, gifts, loans, commissions, positions, contracts, services, favours, etc.) to an agent (including employees of private organisations) to influence the agent in exercising one’s duties. Members of the public should report suspected corruption to the ICAC without delay.