Supplier jailed for offering bribes to secure $6m HA door locks business
2002-1-23
A supplier was today (Wednesday) sentenced to nine months' imprisonment at District Court for offering over $270,000 in bribes to secure purchase orders for $6 million worth of door locks to be installed at Housing Authority (HA) projects.
Leung Wai-tak, 38, partner of Sentry Builders Hardware Limited (Sentry), pleaded guilty to one count of offering an advantage, contrary to Section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. The court ordered the other bribery charge to be left on fi le.
In passing sentence, Judge Day said he considered a starting point of 18-month jail term, which was reduced to nine months, taking into account mitigating factors, including the defendant's guilty plea, his co-operation with the ICAC and good character.
The court heard that in mid 1999, Leung came to know Sin Ka-leung, sales manager of Extensive Trading Company Limited (Extensive) through Stephen Ching Tak-chung.
Extensive was subcontracted by HA's main contractor Hip Hing Construction Company Limited to install door locks at two HA projects at Aldrich Bay and Choi Hung Road.
Sin was responsible for recommending door lock suppliers to Extensive, while Ching was the consultant.
Sin and Ching agreed to recommend Sentry as a supplier of door locks to Extensive if Leung was to offer them commissions in return. The defendant acceded to their request.
Sin and Ching also advised the defendant to lower his quotations so that Sentry could become the lowest bidder.
As a result, Extensive placed two purchase orders for door locks, each valued at about $3 million, with Sentry.
The defendant subsequently paid the illegal commissions totalling $277,440 by a cheque.
The prosecution was today represented by John McLanachan on a fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Tim So.
Leung Wai-tak, 38, partner of Sentry Builders Hardware Limited (Sentry), pleaded guilty to one count of offering an advantage, contrary to Section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. The court ordered the other bribery charge to be left on fi le.
In passing sentence, Judge Day said he considered a starting point of 18-month jail term, which was reduced to nine months, taking into account mitigating factors, including the defendant's guilty plea, his co-operation with the ICAC and good character.
The court heard that in mid 1999, Leung came to know Sin Ka-leung, sales manager of Extensive Trading Company Limited (Extensive) through Stephen Ching Tak-chung.
Extensive was subcontracted by HA's main contractor Hip Hing Construction Company Limited to install door locks at two HA projects at Aldrich Bay and Choi Hung Road.
Sin was responsible for recommending door lock suppliers to Extensive, while Ching was the consultant.
Sin and Ching agreed to recommend Sentry as a supplier of door locks to Extensive if Leung was to offer them commissions in return. The defendant acceded to their request.
Sin and Ching also advised the defendant to lower his quotations so that Sentry could become the lowest bidder.
As a result, Extensive placed two purchase orders for door locks, each valued at about $3 million, with Sentry.
The defendant subsequently paid the illegal commissions totalling $277,440 by a cheque.
The prosecution was today represented by John McLanachan on a fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Tim So.