An owner (D1) of two logistics companies (Company A and Company B) and a former assistant general manager of an air transport services company (Company C) appeared in the Kowloon City Magistracy in separate cases today (Wednesday) after being charged by the ICAC with alleged bribery in relation to transportation business.

In the first case, D1, 44, director-cum-shareholder of both Company A and Company B, faced four counts of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO); and three of an officer of a company knowingly making false statements to the auditors, contrary to Section 134 of the Companies Ordinance.

No plea was taken. Magistrate Mr Anthony Kwok Kai-on adjourned the case until April 21, pending transfer to the District Court.

Two of the bribery charges alleged that between January 2003 and December 2006, D1 had offered a total of $204,000 to an assistant general manager of Company C as rewards for having shown favour to Company A and Company B in relation to Company C's affairs or business.

The defendant was also alleged of having offered a total of $9,500 to an operation manager (D2) of an enterprise company (Company D), between January and April 2009 as rewards for recommending a container company, which was operated by Company D, to rent a warehouse and employ other logistics service from Company B.

The remaining three charges alleged that between April 2006 and May 2008, D1 had knowingly made false statements, namely a total of 129 bogus receipts issued by various companies, to three auditors.

D1 was granted cash bail of $100,000. He was also ordered not to leave Hong Kong and not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.

D2, 38, was also charged for his alleged role in the case. He earlier pleaded guilty to one count of accepting $30,500 in bribes from D1, and will be sentenced at the Kwun Tong Magistracy tomorrow.

In another case, the former assistant general manager of Company C, 58, was charged with accepting bribes from D1.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to two counts of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1) of the POBO.

Magistrate Mr Anthony Kwok Kai-on adjourned the case until April 21 for a pre-trial review.

The charges alleged that between January 2003 and December 2006, the defendant had accepted a total of $204,000 from D1 as rewards for having shown favour to Company A and Company B in relation to Company C's affairs or business.

The defendant was granted cash bail of $40,000, and ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.

The prosecution in the above two cases was represented by ICAC officer Alice Choi.