Ex-IO chairman charged as ICAC probe reveals using false receipts over expenses claim
2023-1-16
The ICAC today (January 16) charged a former chairman of the incorporated owners (IO) of a private residential building and an employee of his company after it was revealed in the course of a corruption investigation by the Commission that the duo had allegedly conspired together to use false receipts to claim for reimbursement of expenses with the IO.
Andy Tse Chi-kin, 63, former chairman of the IO of Yee Fai Building; and Lau Ka-ki, 28, marketing assistant of Cometai Enterprises Limited (Cometai), jointly face two counts of conspiracy to use a copy of false instrument, contrary to Sections 74 and 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
The defendants were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance in the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday (January 18) for plea.
The offences took place between August 2020 and February 2021. During the period, Tse was the chairman of the IO of Yee Fai Building in Tokwawan who operated jewellery company Cometai. Tse, a marketing assistant of Cometai, had been assisting Tse in handling the affairs of the IO.
At the material time, the IO resolved to purchase two metal cabinets and two carpets. Tse was responsible for purchasing those items and he was entitled to claim for reimbursement with the relevant supporting receipts.
Tse and Lau had allegedly conspired together to use copies of two false receipts to induce the IO of Yee Fai Building to accept them as copies of genuine instruments. The two receipts in the total amount of $1,300 were purportedly issued by two companies respectively.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that the two receipts were not issued by the two companies.
The IO of Yee Fai Building and the two companies concerned have rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
Andy Tse Chi-kin, 63, former chairman of the IO of Yee Fai Building; and Lau Ka-ki, 28, marketing assistant of Cometai Enterprises Limited (Cometai), jointly face two counts of conspiracy to use a copy of false instrument, contrary to Sections 74 and 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
The defendants were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance in the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday (January 18) for plea.
The offences took place between August 2020 and February 2021. During the period, Tse was the chairman of the IO of Yee Fai Building in Tokwawan who operated jewellery company Cometai. Tse, a marketing assistant of Cometai, had been assisting Tse in handling the affairs of the IO.
At the material time, the IO resolved to purchase two metal cabinets and two carpets. Tse was responsible for purchasing those items and he was entitled to claim for reimbursement with the relevant supporting receipts.
Tse and Lau had allegedly conspired together to use copies of two false receipts to induce the IO of Yee Fai Building to accept them as copies of genuine instruments. The two receipts in the total amount of $1,300 were purportedly issued by two companies respectively.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that the two receipts were not issued by the two companies.
The IO of Yee Fai Building and the two companies concerned have rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.