Marine Department staff and eight others arrested for alleged bribery and misconduct
2003-4-24
The ICAC has arrested nine persons, including a Supplies Supervisor I of the Marine Department, for alleged bribery in relation to the awarding of purchase orders of the department.
Also arrested in operation codenamed " Simitar ", which commenced yesterday (April 23), were the Supplies Supervisor's wife, son and six suppliers.
The investigation arose from a referral from the Marine Department, alleging that a staff of the department might have corruptly awarded purchase orders which were below $50,000 each.
ICAC inquiries revealed that the arrested Supplies Supervisor had corruptly awarded purchase orders for office equipment and mechanical parts for vessel maintenance to a number of suppliers.
It was suspected that between 1999 and 2003, purchase orders worth more than $2 million in total were awarded by circumventing the Government Stores and Procurement Regulations.
Inquiries also revealed that the Supplies Supervisor had allegedly abused his public office in acquiring a large quantity of surgical masks from suppliers several weeks ago.
It was alleged that these masks were shared amongst the Supplies Supervisor's associates, who then sold them for personal gain.
All arrestees have been released on ICAC bail. Inquiries into the corruption allegation are continuing.
Also arrested in operation codenamed " Simitar ", which commenced yesterday (April 23), were the Supplies Supervisor's wife, son and six suppliers.
The investigation arose from a referral from the Marine Department, alleging that a staff of the department might have corruptly awarded purchase orders which were below $50,000 each.
ICAC inquiries revealed that the arrested Supplies Supervisor had corruptly awarded purchase orders for office equipment and mechanical parts for vessel maintenance to a number of suppliers.
It was suspected that between 1999 and 2003, purchase orders worth more than $2 million in total were awarded by circumventing the Government Stores and Procurement Regulations.
Inquiries also revealed that the Supplies Supervisor had allegedly abused his public office in acquiring a large quantity of surgical masks from suppliers several weeks ago.
It was alleged that these masks were shared amongst the Supplies Supervisor's associates, who then sold them for personal gain.
All arrestees have been released on ICAC bail. Inquiries into the corruption allegation are continuing.