Two years' jail for ex-temple treasurer embezzling donations from worshippers
2003-1-6
A man, charged by the ICAC, was today (Monday) sentenced to two years' imprisonment at District Court for embezzling donations totalling over $700,000 from two charitable organisations.
Chung Ping-fun, 58, former director and treasurer of Kwai Chung Tin Hau Tong Limited (Tin Hau Tong), today pleaded guilty to 37 counts of theft, one of using a false instrument, and one of evasion of liability by deception. The court had taken into consi deration 39 other similar theft offences in sentencing.
Judge Barnes said in view of the serious breach of trust, an immediate custodial sentence must be meted out to the defendant.
The case arose from a corruption complaint, alleging that Chung might have bribed the chairman of a charitable organisation for conniving at his theft activities. ICAC enquiries uncovered the above offences.
Tin Hau Tong is a non-profit making organisation running the Tin Hau Temple in Kwai Chung. The company maintains a saving account with a bank to hold donations from worshippers.
Signatures of two of Tin Hau Tong's directors are required to operate the bank account, and no directors are allowed to withdraw money for personal use.
The court heard that between June 1999 and April 2001, Chung had pocketed donations totalling $582,584.90 from Tin Hau Tong.
After the theft was discovered by Tin Hau Tong's board of directors, the defendant gave Tin Hau Tong a cheque for $558,737 as repayment in June 2001. But the cheque was subsequently dishonoured.
The court also heard that between July 1994 and January 2001, Chung had embezzled donations, toalling $130,000, from Tsuen Wan Wai Chow Main Union Limited, while he was the chairman of the organisation.
The prosecution was today represented by Government Counsel Simon Kwan, assisted by ICAC officer Oyan Cheung.
Chung Ping-fun, 58, former director and treasurer of Kwai Chung Tin Hau Tong Limited (Tin Hau Tong), today pleaded guilty to 37 counts of theft, one of using a false instrument, and one of evasion of liability by deception. The court had taken into consi deration 39 other similar theft offences in sentencing.
Judge Barnes said in view of the serious breach of trust, an immediate custodial sentence must be meted out to the defendant.
The case arose from a corruption complaint, alleging that Chung might have bribed the chairman of a charitable organisation for conniving at his theft activities. ICAC enquiries uncovered the above offences.
Tin Hau Tong is a non-profit making organisation running the Tin Hau Temple in Kwai Chung. The company maintains a saving account with a bank to hold donations from worshippers.
Signatures of two of Tin Hau Tong's directors are required to operate the bank account, and no directors are allowed to withdraw money for personal use.
The court heard that between June 1999 and April 2001, Chung had pocketed donations totalling $582,584.90 from Tin Hau Tong.
After the theft was discovered by Tin Hau Tong's board of directors, the defendant gave Tin Hau Tong a cheque for $558,737 as repayment in June 2001. But the cheque was subsequently dishonoured.
The court also heard that between July 1994 and January 2001, Chung had embezzled donations, toalling $130,000, from Tsuen Wan Wai Chow Main Union Limited, while he was the chairman of the organisation.
The prosecution was today represented by Government Counsel Simon Kwan, assisted by ICAC officer Oyan Cheung.