Printer sentenced for forging quotations to obtain ED contracts
2002-8-30
A proprietor of a design company, who at the suggestion of a Principal Inspector of the Education Department (ED), had forged a number of quotations in order to obtain design and printing contracts from ED, was given a suspended sentence today (Friday).
In sentencing Lau Ying-kit, Eastern Court Magistrate Mr Ian Candy said he could not possibly mete out a heavier sentence than those received by two ED Principal Inspectors involved in the same scam and against whom Lau had testified.
Lau, 41, proprietor of CAX2 Limited (CAX2), earlier pleaded guilty to seven counts of forgery by making false quotations of a number of companies to obtain $1,657,500 worth of ED's contracts.
The magistrate noted that in view of Lau's guilty plea and his assistance to the ICAC and the prosecution, the starting point of six months' jail was reduced to two months' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.
Earlier this month, two ED Principal Inspectors, Mimi Ho Mi-mi and Cheng Sai-man, charged in the same case, were convicted of misconduct in public office in relation to awarding such contracts. They were respectively jailed for nine months and six months , both suspended for two years.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint alleging that some ED officers might have accepted bribes for awarding the department's printing contracts.
The court heard that between October 1998 and December 2000, Ho and Cheng approached Lau on a number of occasions concerning the design and printing for various ED publications, including CD-Roms and hard copies of learning packages for primary students, and pamphlets on curriculum reforms for parents.
Upon Ho's suggestion, Lau produced false quotations in the names of other contractors and forged their signatures, ensuring that prices quoted by CAX2 were the lowest. Cheng also agreed to the scheme.
The court was told that during the period, eight ED contracts, worth $1,657,500 in total, were awarded to CAX2 under such fraudulent scheme.
Both Ho and Cheng were involved in approving such contracts.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Grace Yee.
In sentencing Lau Ying-kit, Eastern Court Magistrate Mr Ian Candy said he could not possibly mete out a heavier sentence than those received by two ED Principal Inspectors involved in the same scam and against whom Lau had testified.
Lau, 41, proprietor of CAX2 Limited (CAX2), earlier pleaded guilty to seven counts of forgery by making false quotations of a number of companies to obtain $1,657,500 worth of ED's contracts.
The magistrate noted that in view of Lau's guilty plea and his assistance to the ICAC and the prosecution, the starting point of six months' jail was reduced to two months' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.
Earlier this month, two ED Principal Inspectors, Mimi Ho Mi-mi and Cheng Sai-man, charged in the same case, were convicted of misconduct in public office in relation to awarding such contracts. They were respectively jailed for nine months and six months , both suspended for two years.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint alleging that some ED officers might have accepted bribes for awarding the department's printing contracts.
The court heard that between October 1998 and December 2000, Ho and Cheng approached Lau on a number of occasions concerning the design and printing for various ED publications, including CD-Roms and hard copies of learning packages for primary students, and pamphlets on curriculum reforms for parents.
Upon Ho's suggestion, Lau produced false quotations in the names of other contractors and forged their signatures, ensuring that prices quoted by CAX2 were the lowest. Cheng also agreed to the scheme.
The court was told that during the period, eight ED contracts, worth $1,657,500 in total, were awarded to CAX2 under such fraudulent scheme.
Both Ho and Cheng were involved in approving such contracts.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Grace Yee.