Duo jailed for bribery over air conditioning works contracts
2021-8-5
A former technical manager of a property management company and the proprietor of a works contractor, charged by the ICAC, were today (August 5) both sentenced to six months’ imprisonment at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts for bribery involving illegal rebates totalling over $18,000 for securing air conditioning works contracts of a private residential building.
Ng Chun-ming, 40, former assistant technical manager of Hang Lung Real Estate Agency Limited (Hang Lung), was earlier found guilty of one count of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO).
Co-defendant Tam Chung-cheong, 60, proprietor of Hop Luen (Hong Kong) Engineering Co. Limited (Hop Luen), was earlier convicted of one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(a) of the POBO.
In sentencing, Deputy Magistrate Ms Vivian Ho Wai-han said bribery was a serious offence. What the defendants did was a breach of trust and a heavy blow to the business sector.
Upon the defendants’ applications, the magistrate granted them bail pending their appeals.
At the material time, Hang Lung was the management services provider of The Summit, a residential building in Wan Chai District. Ng was an assistant technical manager of Hang Lung, responsible for handling and supervising maintenance works of the building. Tam was the proprietor of Hop Luen, a contractor of Hang Lung, which engaged in air conditioning system maintenance works.
The court heard that on September 16, 2019, Tam handed over an envelope to Ng. The envelope contained $18,100 in cash which was an inducement to or reward for Ng to facilitate the award of contracts of works by Hang Lung to Hop Luen.
The envelope also contained a paper listing out 14 air conditioning system maintenance works of The Summit and various sums totalling $18,090. Ng was responsible for 13 of the 14 works. All 13 works were awarded to Hop Luen upon his recommendation.
Hang Lung had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the cases.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Priscilia Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Frankie Chow.
Ng Chun-ming, 40, former assistant technical manager of Hang Lung Real Estate Agency Limited (Hang Lung), was earlier found guilty of one count of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO).
Co-defendant Tam Chung-cheong, 60, proprietor of Hop Luen (Hong Kong) Engineering Co. Limited (Hop Luen), was earlier convicted of one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(a) of the POBO.
In sentencing, Deputy Magistrate Ms Vivian Ho Wai-han said bribery was a serious offence. What the defendants did was a breach of trust and a heavy blow to the business sector.
Upon the defendants’ applications, the magistrate granted them bail pending their appeals.
At the material time, Hang Lung was the management services provider of The Summit, a residential building in Wan Chai District. Ng was an assistant technical manager of Hang Lung, responsible for handling and supervising maintenance works of the building. Tam was the proprietor of Hop Luen, a contractor of Hang Lung, which engaged in air conditioning system maintenance works.
The court heard that on September 16, 2019, Tam handed over an envelope to Ng. The envelope contained $18,100 in cash which was an inducement to or reward for Ng to facilitate the award of contracts of works by Hang Lung to Hop Luen.
The envelope also contained a paper listing out 14 air conditioning system maintenance works of The Summit and various sums totalling $18,090. Ng was responsible for 13 of the 14 works. All 13 works were awarded to Hop Luen upon his recommendation.
Hang Lung had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the cases.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Priscilia Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Frankie Chow.