Inspector of EMSD in court over bribes-for-favourable testimonial
2015-11-17
An Air-conditioning Inspector of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) appeared in the Kwun Tong Magistracy today (Tuesday) after being charged by the ICAC with soliciting and accepting bribes from a technician trainee for writing him a favourable testimonial.
Poon Wai-hung, 42, who was charged last Friday (November 13), faced two charges – one of public servant soliciting an advantage and one of public servant accepting an advantage, both contrary to Section 4(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges. Principal Magistrate Mr Ernest Lin Kam-hung adjourned the case until December 22 this year for a pre-trial review.
At the material time, the defendant was an Air-conditioning Inspector of the EMSD attached to its Training Unit. His duties included providing on-the-job training to technician trainees and compiling their appraisal reports.
One of the charges alleged that on January 7, 2015, the defendant solicited ,000 from a technician trainee as a reward for writing a favourable testimonial for and on behalf of the EMSD in respect of the trainee’s work performance, and submitting the testimonial to a local university in connection with the trainee’s application for a post in the university.
The other charge alleged that on the same day, the defendant accepted $500 from the trainee for the same purpose.
The defendant was granted cash bail of $5,000. He was ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses and not to leave Hong Kong.
The EMSD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Dickson Liang.
Poon Wai-hung, 42, who was charged last Friday (November 13), faced two charges – one of public servant soliciting an advantage and one of public servant accepting an advantage, both contrary to Section 4(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges. Principal Magistrate Mr Ernest Lin Kam-hung adjourned the case until December 22 this year for a pre-trial review.
At the material time, the defendant was an Air-conditioning Inspector of the EMSD attached to its Training Unit. His duties included providing on-the-job training to technician trainees and compiling their appraisal reports.
One of the charges alleged that on January 7, 2015, the defendant solicited ,000 from a technician trainee as a reward for writing a favourable testimonial for and on behalf of the EMSD in respect of the trainee’s work performance, and submitting the testimonial to a local university in connection with the trainee’s application for a post in the university.
The other charge alleged that on the same day, the defendant accepted $500 from the trainee for the same purpose.
The defendant was granted cash bail of $5,000. He was ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses and not to leave Hong Kong.
The EMSD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Dickson Liang.