Twelve FSD officers and two civilians netted for alleged bribery and illegal soccer bookmaking offences
2002-1-4
The ICAC has arrested 14 persons, including 12 Fire Services Department (FSD) officers, for their alleged involvement in a bribe-for-good staff reports conspiracy and illegal soccer match bookmaking.
The arrested FSD officers included two Senior Station Officers, a Station Officer, two Principal Firemen, and seven Firemen.
Also arrested in an operation codenamed " East Wind ", which commenced on Wednesday, were two civilians for their alleged involvement in illegal soccer bookmaking.
The ICAC investigation originated from a corruption complaint, alleging that a Principal Fireman had corruptly assisted his subordinates in obtaining favourable appraisal reports.
Enquiries revealed that the arrested Principal Fireman had accepted from some of the Firemen advantages allegedly including a mobile phone, a gold bracelet, a second-hand car, and flower boards of over $6,000 in value to celebrate the opening of the Princ ipal Fireman's karaoke lounge in Shenzhen.
The advantages were allegedly for securing more favourable evaluation of the performance of these Firemen on their appraisal reports.
During the course of investigations into the alleged corruption offences, it was also revealed that that the Principal Fireman's supervisor, a Station Officer, was allegedly operating an illegal soccer match bookmaking racket.
The Station Officer allegedly received bets from junior firemen and officers from other fire stations, and possible corrupt practices were also suspected. This resulted in the arrest of two Senior Station Officers, a Station Officer, two Principal Fireme n, four Firemen and two civilians, for allegedly being involved in illegal soccer match bookmaking activities.
The racket had allegedly accepted bets up to tens of thousands dollars.
The FSD and the Police had rendered assistance to the ICAC operation at various stages. Arrangements were also made with the FSD management to ensure that there would be no disruption of fire services to the public, during and after the operation.
Four of the arrestees are being detained by the ICAC, while the rest have been released on ICAC bail.
Enquiries are continuing.
The arrested FSD officers included two Senior Station Officers, a Station Officer, two Principal Firemen, and seven Firemen.
Also arrested in an operation codenamed " East Wind ", which commenced on Wednesday, were two civilians for their alleged involvement in illegal soccer bookmaking.
The ICAC investigation originated from a corruption complaint, alleging that a Principal Fireman had corruptly assisted his subordinates in obtaining favourable appraisal reports.
Enquiries revealed that the arrested Principal Fireman had accepted from some of the Firemen advantages allegedly including a mobile phone, a gold bracelet, a second-hand car, and flower boards of over $6,000 in value to celebrate the opening of the Princ ipal Fireman's karaoke lounge in Shenzhen.
The advantages were allegedly for securing more favourable evaluation of the performance of these Firemen on their appraisal reports.
During the course of investigations into the alleged corruption offences, it was also revealed that that the Principal Fireman's supervisor, a Station Officer, was allegedly operating an illegal soccer match bookmaking racket.
The Station Officer allegedly received bets from junior firemen and officers from other fire stations, and possible corrupt practices were also suspected. This resulted in the arrest of two Senior Station Officers, a Station Officer, two Principal Fireme n, four Firemen and two civilians, for allegedly being involved in illegal soccer match bookmaking activities.
The racket had allegedly accepted bets up to tens of thousands dollars.
The FSD and the Police had rendered assistance to the ICAC operation at various stages. Arrangements were also made with the FSD management to ensure that there would be no disruption of fire services to the public, during and after the operation.
Four of the arrestees are being detained by the ICAC, while the rest have been released on ICAC bail.
Enquiries are continuing.