Couple in court for alleged $250,000 retraining funding and allowances fraud
2015-7-23
Two operators of a training body appeared in the Eastern Magistracy today (Thursday) after being charged by the ICAC with conspiracy to defraud the Employees Retraining Board (ERB) of funding and trainee allowances totalling over $250,000.
Winnie Ng Wai-man, 48, director of Knowledge Education Centre (KEC), and Ng’s husband Lui Pun-kuen, 49, general manager of KEC, who were charged on Tuesday (July 21), jointly faced one count of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Common Law.
No plea was taken. Principal Magistrate Ms Bina Chainrai transferred the case to the District Court for plea on August 11 this year.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the ERB. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offence of conspiracy to defraud.
At the material time, KEC was approved by the ERB to provide two training courses – Certificate in Nail Technician Training and Certificate in Nutrition Therapist Assistant Training (the courses).
The charge alleged that between June 1 and October 4, 2013, Ng and Lui conspired together with the staff members of KEC and some trainees of the courses to defraud officers and staff members of the ERB.
Ng and Lui were alleged to have falsely represented that the courses were organised by KEC between July 2 and August 5, 2013 and between July 2 and August 13, 2013 respectively.
They were also alleged to have falsely represented that the enrolment rate and attendance rate of the courses were respectively at or over 90 per cent and 80 per cent, and that the trainees in the courses had taken examinations.
As a result of the alleged false representation, the officers and staff members of the ERB were induced to grant funding to KEC and allowances to the eligible trainees of the courses. The funding and trainee allowances were said to amount to over $250,000.
Ng and Lui were each granted cash bail of $10,000, and ordered to reside at the reported address.
The ERB had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Ricky Cheuk.
Winnie Ng Wai-man, 48, director of Knowledge Education Centre (KEC), and Ng’s husband Lui Pun-kuen, 49, general manager of KEC, who were charged on Tuesday (July 21), jointly faced one count of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Common Law.
No plea was taken. Principal Magistrate Ms Bina Chainrai transferred the case to the District Court for plea on August 11 this year.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the ERB. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offence of conspiracy to defraud.
At the material time, KEC was approved by the ERB to provide two training courses – Certificate in Nail Technician Training and Certificate in Nutrition Therapist Assistant Training (the courses).
The charge alleged that between June 1 and October 4, 2013, Ng and Lui conspired together with the staff members of KEC and some trainees of the courses to defraud officers and staff members of the ERB.
Ng and Lui were alleged to have falsely represented that the courses were organised by KEC between July 2 and August 5, 2013 and between July 2 and August 13, 2013 respectively.
They were also alleged to have falsely represented that the enrolment rate and attendance rate of the courses were respectively at or over 90 per cent and 80 per cent, and that the trainees in the courses had taken examinations.
As a result of the alleged false representation, the officers and staff members of the ERB were induced to grant funding to KEC and allowances to the eligible trainees of the courses. The funding and trainee allowances were said to amount to over $250,000.
Ng and Lui were each granted cash bail of $10,000, and ordered to reside at the reported address.
The ERB had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Ricky Cheuk.