Former OI chairman and company director guilty of bribery over tendering contracts
2003-5-15
The former chairman of an owners' incorporation (OI) of a residential estate and a director of an engineering consultant firm, charged by the ICAC, were today (Thursday) convicted at District Court of conspiring to offer bribes to an OI member for favouri ng certain contractors in the tendering exercise for fire prevention installation and renovation projects, totalling about $40 million.
Tam Chun-ming, 56, former chairman of the OI of Yau Tong Centre, and Choi Ka-shing, 29, shareholder and director of Wilson Professional Consultants Ltd. (Wilson), were found guilty of one count of conspiracy to offer advantages to an agent.
Wilson was the maintenance consultant of Yau Tong Centre.
Judge Eddie Yip adjourned sentencing until June 5, 2003, pending background reports. The defendants were remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.
The court heard that in August 2001, the Yau Tong Centre OI invited tender for installing fire sprinklers in two shopping arcades at the Centre.
Wilson was entrusted by the OI to carry out the tendering exercise and supervise the projects.
The court heard that on November 24, 2001, the OI hosted a general meeting to select a contractor for the projects, but the selection was subsequently put off due to the opposition of two OI members.
The court heard that Tam and Choi then conspired to offer sums of money to one of the two OI members for him to favour certain contractors during the selection of contractors for the installation of fire sprinklers and the demolition of canopies of the Ce ntre.
The bribes were calculated at three per cent of the total contract sums for the above projects, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by Newman Wong on a fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Venus Shum.
Tam Chun-ming, 56, former chairman of the OI of Yau Tong Centre, and Choi Ka-shing, 29, shareholder and director of Wilson Professional Consultants Ltd. (Wilson), were found guilty of one count of conspiracy to offer advantages to an agent.
Wilson was the maintenance consultant of Yau Tong Centre.
Judge Eddie Yip adjourned sentencing until June 5, 2003, pending background reports. The defendants were remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.
The court heard that in August 2001, the Yau Tong Centre OI invited tender for installing fire sprinklers in two shopping arcades at the Centre.
Wilson was entrusted by the OI to carry out the tendering exercise and supervise the projects.
The court heard that on November 24, 2001, the OI hosted a general meeting to select a contractor for the projects, but the selection was subsequently put off due to the opposition of two OI members.
The court heard that Tam and Choi then conspired to offer sums of money to one of the two OI members for him to favour certain contractors during the selection of contractors for the installation of fire sprinklers and the demolition of canopies of the Ce ntre.
The bribes were calculated at three per cent of the total contract sums for the above projects, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by Newman Wong on a fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Venus Shum.