Lands Department staff arrested for alleged bribery over New Territories small house projects
2001-9-19
The ICAC has arrested 29 persons, including seven serving and two former staff of the Lands Department, for alleged bribery involving over $1 million in connection with small house development projects in the New Territories.
The seven serving Lands Department staff arrested were a Principal Land Executive, a Chief Land Executive, four Senior Land Executives and a Land Inspector I.
The remaining arrestees in the operation codenamed “ Riverside ” which commenced yesterday were a former Senior Estate Surveyor; a former Land Assistant; 11 small house developers and their six serving and former staff; a Police Sergeant; and two civilians.
ICAC enquiries revealed that the arrested serving Lands Department staff had allegedly accepted advantages from the developers in relation to small house projects in Tai Po, Yuen Long and North District.
The alleged advantages included monetary rewards ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, regular lavish meals, nightclub entertainment, and free trips to the Mainland.
It was alleged that the Lands Department staff involved had provided assistance to the small house developers, including checking confidential information from District Lands Office files, and manipulating the progress of various small house applications.
The staff were also alleged to have monitored villagers' feedback to small house projects to facilitate the developers in negotiating with dissenters.
Investigations also revealed that the two former Lands Department employees, now directors of a consultancy firm, had allegedly offered bribes to one of the arrested Senior Land Executives for assistance in small house applications.
ICAC enquiries further revealed that one of the arrested developers had allegedly offered bribes and loans ranging from several thousand dollars to tens of thousands dollars to the Police Sergeant, for fixing up disputes and protecting him from triad thre ats.
The Lands Department rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
Enquiries are continuing.
The seven serving Lands Department staff arrested were a Principal Land Executive, a Chief Land Executive, four Senior Land Executives and a Land Inspector I.
The remaining arrestees in the operation codenamed “ Riverside ” which commenced yesterday were a former Senior Estate Surveyor; a former Land Assistant; 11 small house developers and their six serving and former staff; a Police Sergeant; and two civilians.
ICAC enquiries revealed that the arrested serving Lands Department staff had allegedly accepted advantages from the developers in relation to small house projects in Tai Po, Yuen Long and North District.
The alleged advantages included monetary rewards ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, regular lavish meals, nightclub entertainment, and free trips to the Mainland.
It was alleged that the Lands Department staff involved had provided assistance to the small house developers, including checking confidential information from District Lands Office files, and manipulating the progress of various small house applications.
The staff were also alleged to have monitored villagers' feedback to small house projects to facilitate the developers in negotiating with dissenters.
Investigations also revealed that the two former Lands Department employees, now directors of a consultancy firm, had allegedly offered bribes to one of the arrested Senior Land Executives for assistance in small house applications.
ICAC enquiries further revealed that one of the arrested developers had allegedly offered bribes and loans ranging from several thousand dollars to tens of thousands dollars to the Police Sergeant, for fixing up disputes and protecting him from triad thre ats.
The Lands Department rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
Enquiries are continuing.