ICAC arrests 23 for suspected corruption in liquor licensing
2002-3-7
The ICAC has arrested 23 persons, including a former chairman of the Liquor Licensing Board (LLB) and two District Councillors, for suspected corruption over applications for liquor licences relating to a number of discos, bars and restaurants.
Also arrested in the three-day operation code-named " Cotton ", which ended yesterday (March 6), were a Police Constable, one solicitor, 10 operators of restaurants, karaoke lounges, discos and nightclubs, four of their associates and four middlemen.
The ICAC earlier received information alleging that the former LLB chairman might have accepted advantages from operators of a number of entertainment establishments for expediting and showing favour to their applications.
Allegedly, these operators had, through middlemen including one of the arrested District Councillors, approached the then chairman for his corrupt assistance in their applications.
The former chairman had allegedly requested the operators to instruct the arrested solicitor to represent the operators at LLB hearings and shared part of the legal fees as rewards.
It was also alleged that another District Councillor had provided corrupt assistance to some other operators over their applications for liquor licences. A small quantity of suspected dangerous drugs was found during the search of the District Councillor 's office.
Meanwhile, the investigation also revealed that a Police Constable (PC) had allegedly undertaken to assist one of the arrested civilians involved in a suspected blackmail case to "fix up" the police investigation. He was arrested in an ambush after recei ving $5,000 "marked money".
During the operation, the ICAC has received assistance and co-operation from the Police, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and District Offices.
The arrestees have been released on ICAC bail. Inquiries are continuing.
Also arrested in the three-day operation code-named " Cotton ", which ended yesterday (March 6), were a Police Constable, one solicitor, 10 operators of restaurants, karaoke lounges, discos and nightclubs, four of their associates and four middlemen.
The ICAC earlier received information alleging that the former LLB chairman might have accepted advantages from operators of a number of entertainment establishments for expediting and showing favour to their applications.
Allegedly, these operators had, through middlemen including one of the arrested District Councillors, approached the then chairman for his corrupt assistance in their applications.
The former chairman had allegedly requested the operators to instruct the arrested solicitor to represent the operators at LLB hearings and shared part of the legal fees as rewards.
It was also alleged that another District Councillor had provided corrupt assistance to some other operators over their applications for liquor licences. A small quantity of suspected dangerous drugs was found during the search of the District Councillor 's office.
Meanwhile, the investigation also revealed that a Police Constable (PC) had allegedly undertaken to assist one of the arrested civilians involved in a suspected blackmail case to "fix up" the police investigation. He was arrested in an ambush after recei ving $5,000 "marked money".
During the operation, the ICAC has received assistance and co-operation from the Police, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and District Offices.
The arrestees have been released on ICAC bail. Inquiries are continuing.