Ex-treasurer of amateur Chinese orchestra admits fraud over zither purchase
2021-3-18
Ex-treasurer of amateur Chinese orchestra admits fraud over zither purchase
A former treasurer of an amateur Chinese orchestra, charged by the ICAC, today (March 18) admitted at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts that he had made a fraudulent reimbursement claim over the purchase of a zither.
Chan Chung-san, 28, former treasurer of Hong Kong YWCA Chinese Orchestra (YWCA Chinese Orchestra), pleaded guilty to one count of fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.
Magistrate Mr Edward Wong Ching-yu adjourned the case to April 14 for sentence, pending a community service order report. The defendant was granted cash bail.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent enquiries revealed the offence.
YWCA Chinese Orchestra is a self-financing interest group under Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). It conducts public performances and activities regularly to earn its operation funds.
The court heard that on or about May 30, 2016, the defendant submitted to the YWCA an application for reimbursement of 38 items totalling over $38,000, including a zither said to be bought at $19,200. An invoice purportedly issued by a musical instrument shop for the purchase of the zither was submitted along with other supporting documents for other items.
Believing that the contents of the documents were genuine, the YWCA issued a cheque of over $38,000 to the defendant on July 8, 2016, the court heard.
ICAC investigation however revealed that the contents of the aforesaid invoice for the zither were false. The musical instrument shop concerned had not sold the zither to the defendant or YWCA Chinese Orchestra.
The court heard that in March 2016, the musical instrument shop had issued an invoice to a customer upon the latter’s request. The invoice concerned was subsequently submitted by the defendant to YWCA Chinese Orchestra for reimbursement claim.
The YWCA and the musical instrument shop had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Dominic Cheung.
A former treasurer of an amateur Chinese orchestra, charged by the ICAC, today (March 18) admitted at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts that he had made a fraudulent reimbursement claim over the purchase of a zither.
Chan Chung-san, 28, former treasurer of Hong Kong YWCA Chinese Orchestra (YWCA Chinese Orchestra), pleaded guilty to one count of fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.
Magistrate Mr Edward Wong Ching-yu adjourned the case to April 14 for sentence, pending a community service order report. The defendant was granted cash bail.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent enquiries revealed the offence.
YWCA Chinese Orchestra is a self-financing interest group under Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). It conducts public performances and activities regularly to earn its operation funds.
The court heard that on or about May 30, 2016, the defendant submitted to the YWCA an application for reimbursement of 38 items totalling over $38,000, including a zither said to be bought at $19,200. An invoice purportedly issued by a musical instrument shop for the purchase of the zither was submitted along with other supporting documents for other items.
Believing that the contents of the documents were genuine, the YWCA issued a cheque of over $38,000 to the defendant on July 8, 2016, the court heard.
ICAC investigation however revealed that the contents of the aforesaid invoice for the zither were false. The musical instrument shop concerned had not sold the zither to the defendant or YWCA Chinese Orchestra.
The court heard that in March 2016, the musical instrument shop had issued an invoice to a customer upon the latter’s request. The invoice concerned was subsequently submitted by the defendant to YWCA Chinese Orchestra for reimbursement claim.
The YWCA and the musical instrument shop had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Dominic Cheung.