Restaurant shareholder admits offering 'protection fees' to Police Sergeant
2001-8-30
A shareholder of a restaurant today (Thursday) admitted at Tsuen Wan Court that he had offered monthly "protection fees" totalling $16,000 to a Police Sergeant.
Lam Kwun-man, 30, of Ichimoto Japanese Restaurant (Ichimoto), today pleaded guilty to eight counts of offering an advantage to a public servant, contrary to Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Magistrate Mr Stephen Smout adjourned sentencing until September 20, pending a background report, a community service order report and a probation report. The defendant was granted cash bail of $2,000.
The court heard that Ichimoto, located in Hunghom, started its business in mid 1996.
Police Sergeant Ku Ying-lai, who was then attached to the Regional Anti-triad Unit/Kowloon West, visited Ichimoto.
Believing that Ku could offer assistance in case triad members caused nuisance to Ichimoto, two major shareholders of the restaurant agreed to pay a monthly payment of "protection fees" to Ku.
Lam, who was the manager of Ichimoto, witnessed the payment of "protection fees" in cash to Ku.
In late 1997, another associated restaurant was set up in Tsuen Wan, and Lam became one of its minority shareholders.
Lam was transferred to the restaurant in Tsuen Wan to continue his post as a manager.
Upon the instruction of the two major shareholders, Lam paid monthly protection fees of $2,000 to Ku.
Around the 5th day of each month, Ku visited the restaurant.
On each occasion, Lam asked the cashier to give him $2,000. The money was put into an envelope, and would be given by Lam to Ku upon his arrival at the restaurant.
The court heard that Lam had given monthly "protection fees" of $2,000 to Ku between December 1997 and July 1998.
Meanwhile, the two major shareholders of Ichimoto - Yuen Lam, 37, and Wong Kwok-hing, 38 - were charged with one count of conspiracy to offer periodic payments to Ku. Wong also faced three counts of offering $8,000 in total to Ku.
Yuen and Wong were set to take plea at District Court on September 7.
The prosecution was today represented by Government Counsel Marco Lee, assisted by ICAC officer Christina Sin.
Lam Kwun-man, 30, of Ichimoto Japanese Restaurant (Ichimoto), today pleaded guilty to eight counts of offering an advantage to a public servant, contrary to Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Magistrate Mr Stephen Smout adjourned sentencing until September 20, pending a background report, a community service order report and a probation report. The defendant was granted cash bail of $2,000.
The court heard that Ichimoto, located in Hunghom, started its business in mid 1996.
Police Sergeant Ku Ying-lai, who was then attached to the Regional Anti-triad Unit/Kowloon West, visited Ichimoto.
Believing that Ku could offer assistance in case triad members caused nuisance to Ichimoto, two major shareholders of the restaurant agreed to pay a monthly payment of "protection fees" to Ku.
Lam, who was the manager of Ichimoto, witnessed the payment of "protection fees" in cash to Ku.
In late 1997, another associated restaurant was set up in Tsuen Wan, and Lam became one of its minority shareholders.
Lam was transferred to the restaurant in Tsuen Wan to continue his post as a manager.
Upon the instruction of the two major shareholders, Lam paid monthly protection fees of $2,000 to Ku.
Around the 5th day of each month, Ku visited the restaurant.
On each occasion, Lam asked the cashier to give him $2,000. The money was put into an envelope, and would be given by Lam to Ku upon his arrival at the restaurant.
The court heard that Lam had given monthly "protection fees" of $2,000 to Ku between December 1997 and July 1998.
Meanwhile, the two major shareholders of Ichimoto - Yuen Lam, 37, and Wong Kwok-hing, 38 - were charged with one count of conspiracy to offer periodic payments to Ku. Wong also faced three counts of offering $8,000 in total to Ku.
Yuen and Wong were set to take plea at District Court on September 7.
The prosecution was today represented by Government Counsel Marco Lee, assisted by ICAC officer Christina Sin.