ICAC suspect extradited from Canada to face $7m fraud charges
2001-9-27
A former executive of a computer products manufacturer, wanted by the ICAC for alleged involvement in a $7 million scam, was extradited from Canada to Hong Kong today (Thursday) after fighting extradition for more than three years.
Jason Lai For, 34, former sales engineer of Epson Hong Kong Limited (Epson), was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Markham, Ontario in August 1998 at the request of the Hong Kong government.
The Canadian Court ordered Lai be returned to Hong Kong to face trial after his last effort to avoid extradition failed earlier this month.
Lai, while being employed by Epson, was alleged to have diverted Epson's business with the Mainland to a number of companies in which either he or his friends had a financial interest, between July and October 1995, causing financial losses of $3 million to Epson.
He was also alleged to have submitted false documents to Epson to cover up the scam.
He will be brought to Eastern Court at 9:30 am tomorrow (Friday) to face two counts of using document with intent to deceive his principal under Section 9(3) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance; one count of theft and one of obtaining property by deception.
Lai had left Epson before the ICAC commenced its investigation into the case. The Hong Kong Court issued a warrant for his arrest in June 1997.
After being arrested by the Canadian authorities in August 1998, Lai had made 10 court appearances for extradition hearing.
In objecting to extradition, he had questioned the validity of the extradition agreement between Hong Kong and Canada.
In June 1999, the Canadian Court ruled that the agreement was valid. In January the following year, the Court rejected Lai's other arguments to object to extradition and ordered his surrender to the ICAC in Hong Kong.
Lai subsequently lodged an appeal against the Court's decision. The Ontario Court of Appeal dismissed his application for appeal and judicial review earlier this month and ordered him be removed to Hong Kong.
Jason Lai For, 34, former sales engineer of Epson Hong Kong Limited (Epson), was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Markham, Ontario in August 1998 at the request of the Hong Kong government.
The Canadian Court ordered Lai be returned to Hong Kong to face trial after his last effort to avoid extradition failed earlier this month.
Lai, while being employed by Epson, was alleged to have diverted Epson's business with the Mainland to a number of companies in which either he or his friends had a financial interest, between July and October 1995, causing financial losses of $3 million to Epson.
He was also alleged to have submitted false documents to Epson to cover up the scam.
He will be brought to Eastern Court at 9:30 am tomorrow (Friday) to face two counts of using document with intent to deceive his principal under Section 9(3) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance; one count of theft and one of obtaining property by deception.
Lai had left Epson before the ICAC commenced its investigation into the case. The Hong Kong Court issued a warrant for his arrest in June 1997.
After being arrested by the Canadian authorities in August 1998, Lai had made 10 court appearances for extradition hearing.
In objecting to extradition, he had questioned the validity of the extradition agreement between Hong Kong and Canada.
In June 1999, the Canadian Court ruled that the agreement was valid. In January the following year, the Court rejected Lai's other arguments to object to extradition and ordered his surrender to the ICAC in Hong Kong.
Lai subsequently lodged an appeal against the Court's decision. The Ontario Court of Appeal dismissed his application for appeal and judicial review earlier this month and ordered him be removed to Hong Kong.