WSD Inspector and subcontractor charged for $220,000 project overclaims
2001-5-24
An Inspector of the Water Supplies Department (WSD) and a subcontractor, charged by the ICAC for allegedly making overclaims of more than $220,000 in relation to waterworks projects in Kowloon East region, appeared in Eastern Court today (Thursday).
Ngai Yok-hon, 43, Waterworks Inspector of WSD, and Kwok Ho-kwai, 45, proprietor of Kwai Hing Engineering Company (Kwai Hing), faced a total of seven offences.
Kwai Hing was a subcontractor to perform WSD works orders under the supervision of Ngai.
No pleas were taken. Magistrate Mr Henry Mierczak adjourned the case until June 14, 2001 for mention.
The case arose from a referral from WSD, alleging that Ngai was suspected to have corruptly assisted Kwok to overclaim project payments.
The WSD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
Five of the charges alleged that Ngai and Kwok had conspired together to defraud WSD by dishonestly falsifying 30 site sketches in respect of five works orders, with a view to falsely representing to WSD that the information contained in the site sketches was correct and accurate.
It was alleged that the falsified information purportedly showed that the total amount of claims for five works orders relating to the laying of waterpipes in Kowloon East was $883,081 when in fact the actual worth was about $658,375 only. The defendants were accused of making overclaims totalling $224,706.
The remaining two charges alleged Kwok of forging the signature of WSD Works Supervisor II Chan Wing-kwan on two site sketches, with the intent to induce somebody to accept them as genuine.
The alleged offences took place between October 11, 1997 and November 17, 1999.
Ngai and Kwok were each granted bail of $10,000 in cash, and ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses. Ngai was also ordered to surrender his travel documents and not to leave Hong Kong, while Kwok was ordered to report to the Police twice a w eek.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Leung Po-shan.
Ngai Yok-hon, 43, Waterworks Inspector of WSD, and Kwok Ho-kwai, 45, proprietor of Kwai Hing Engineering Company (Kwai Hing), faced a total of seven offences.
Kwai Hing was a subcontractor to perform WSD works orders under the supervision of Ngai.
No pleas were taken. Magistrate Mr Henry Mierczak adjourned the case until June 14, 2001 for mention.
The case arose from a referral from WSD, alleging that Ngai was suspected to have corruptly assisted Kwok to overclaim project payments.
The WSD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
Five of the charges alleged that Ngai and Kwok had conspired together to defraud WSD by dishonestly falsifying 30 site sketches in respect of five works orders, with a view to falsely representing to WSD that the information contained in the site sketches was correct and accurate.
It was alleged that the falsified information purportedly showed that the total amount of claims for five works orders relating to the laying of waterpipes in Kowloon East was $883,081 when in fact the actual worth was about $658,375 only. The defendants were accused of making overclaims totalling $224,706.
The remaining two charges alleged Kwok of forging the signature of WSD Works Supervisor II Chan Wing-kwan on two site sketches, with the intent to induce somebody to accept them as genuine.
The alleged offences took place between October 11, 1997 and November 17, 1999.
Ngai and Kwok were each granted bail of $10,000 in cash, and ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses. Ngai was also ordered to surrender his travel documents and not to leave Hong Kong, while Kwok was ordered to report to the Police twice a w eek.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Leung Po-shan.