Ex-manager of HKJC charged by ICAC with bribery for favouring co-organiser of equestrian events
2023-6-1
A former manager of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) was charged by the ICAC yesterday (May 31) for allegedly accepting a watch from a co-organiser of an annual world-class equestrian event sponsored by the HKJC, and submitting expenses claim forms which contained false information about meal expenses with business partners of the HKJC.
Chu Lui, 50, former Senior Programme Manager (Development and Marketing) of the HKJC, faces five charges – one of public servant accepting an advantage, contrary to section 4(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO); and four of agent using a document with intent to deceive his principal, contrary to section 9(3) of the POBO.
The defendant was released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (June 2) for plea.
Since 2013, the HKJC, EEM Asia Limited (EEM) and the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation started to co-organise an annual world-class equestrian event – Longines Masters of Hong Kong (the Event). Two tripartite agreements covering the terms of co-organising the Event between 2017 and 2021 were respectively signed in November 2016 and November 2018.
Under the agreements, the HKJC was the major sponsor of the Event and EEM would invite overseas riders and provide logistics and administration support to the Event. The defendant was delegated to discuss and negotiate the agreement terms and event details with EEM on behalf of the HKJC.
It is alleged that on November 23, 2018, the defendant accepted a watch with a listed price of $8,200 from the son of the director of EEM for remaining favourably disposed to EEM in his capacity as a public servant.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint referred by the HKJC. Investigation revealed that contrary to the Code of Conduct and the Anti-Bribery Policy of the HKJC, the defendant did not report to the HKJC his acceptance of the watch.
Investigation also revealed that upon the suggestion of the defendant, two additional programmes with increased overall sponsorship by the HKJC were included to the aforementioned agreement signed in November 2016. Separately, in an addendum agreement signed in January 2019, the HKJC undertook to pay EEM two extra sponsorships totalling $2.5 million for two other networking events on top of the original agreed sponsorship of the Event for 2018 and 2019.
In addition, the defendant allegedly used four expenses claim forms which contained false statements that he had incurred expenses totalling about $6,300 for five working meals with staff of EEM and a football club to deceive the HKJC between October 2018 and May 2019. However, investigation revealed that the staff of EEM and football club concerned did not attend those working meals.
The HKJC has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The definition of public body is clearly set out in the POBO. Such organisations, including public utilities, public transport operators, charitable organisations, tertiary education institutes, etc, provide public services closely related to people’s livelihood and the society. According to the law, employees of public bodies are public servants. In close collaboration with public bodies, including the HKJC, the ICAC always reminds public servants to uphold a high standard of integrity and never use their official capacity to obtain personal gain through education and publicity.
Chu Lui, 50, former Senior Programme Manager (Development and Marketing) of the HKJC, faces five charges – one of public servant accepting an advantage, contrary to section 4(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO); and four of agent using a document with intent to deceive his principal, contrary to section 9(3) of the POBO.
The defendant was released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (June 2) for plea.
Since 2013, the HKJC, EEM Asia Limited (EEM) and the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation started to co-organise an annual world-class equestrian event – Longines Masters of Hong Kong (the Event). Two tripartite agreements covering the terms of co-organising the Event between 2017 and 2021 were respectively signed in November 2016 and November 2018.
Under the agreements, the HKJC was the major sponsor of the Event and EEM would invite overseas riders and provide logistics and administration support to the Event. The defendant was delegated to discuss and negotiate the agreement terms and event details with EEM on behalf of the HKJC.
It is alleged that on November 23, 2018, the defendant accepted a watch with a listed price of $8,200 from the son of the director of EEM for remaining favourably disposed to EEM in his capacity as a public servant.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint referred by the HKJC. Investigation revealed that contrary to the Code of Conduct and the Anti-Bribery Policy of the HKJC, the defendant did not report to the HKJC his acceptance of the watch.
Investigation also revealed that upon the suggestion of the defendant, two additional programmes with increased overall sponsorship by the HKJC were included to the aforementioned agreement signed in November 2016. Separately, in an addendum agreement signed in January 2019, the HKJC undertook to pay EEM two extra sponsorships totalling $2.5 million for two other networking events on top of the original agreed sponsorship of the Event for 2018 and 2019.
In addition, the defendant allegedly used four expenses claim forms which contained false statements that he had incurred expenses totalling about $6,300 for five working meals with staff of EEM and a football club to deceive the HKJC between October 2018 and May 2019. However, investigation revealed that the staff of EEM and football club concerned did not attend those working meals.
The HKJC has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The definition of public body is clearly set out in the POBO. Such organisations, including public utilities, public transport operators, charitable organisations, tertiary education institutes, etc, provide public services closely related to people’s livelihood and the society. According to the law, employees of public bodies are public servants. In close collaboration with public bodies, including the HKJC, the ICAC always reminds public servants to uphold a high standard of integrity and never use their official capacity to obtain personal gain through education and publicity.