Former OI chairman jailed for pocketing OI funds
2003-6-19
A former chairman of an owners' incorporation (OI), charged by the ICAC, was today (Thursday) sentenced to 11 months' imprisonment at North Kowloon Magistracy for pocketing OI funds totalling $472,000.
Wong Yuen-wei, 73, former OI chairman of Cheong Fung Mansion in Tai Kok Tsui, today pleaded guilty before Magistrate Mr Henry Mierczak to four counts of theft.
The magistrate said in sentencing, he had taken into consideration the defendant's guilty plea, clear record and old age, adding that the offences were nonetheless serious.
The case arose from a corruption complaint, alleging that the defendant might have accepted advantages from a renovation contractor for awarding contracts. ICAC inquiries uncovered the thefts.
According to the OI of Cheong Fung Mansion, signatures of two of its members were required for withdrawal of funds from the OI bank accounts.
The court heard that between June 1998 and March 2000, the defendant had, on various occasions, presented blank withdrawal slips to another OI member for his signature.
The OI member signed the withdrawal slips accordingly, believing that they were for transferring funds for the OI's reserve.
The court heard that during the above period, the defendant had fraudulently transferred a total of $472,500 from the OI bank account to his personal account.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Peter Daryanani, assisted by ICAC officer Venus Shum.
Wong Yuen-wei, 73, former OI chairman of Cheong Fung Mansion in Tai Kok Tsui, today pleaded guilty before Magistrate Mr Henry Mierczak to four counts of theft.
The magistrate said in sentencing, he had taken into consideration the defendant's guilty plea, clear record and old age, adding that the offences were nonetheless serious.
The case arose from a corruption complaint, alleging that the defendant might have accepted advantages from a renovation contractor for awarding contracts. ICAC inquiries uncovered the thefts.
According to the OI of Cheong Fung Mansion, signatures of two of its members were required for withdrawal of funds from the OI bank accounts.
The court heard that between June 1998 and March 2000, the defendant had, on various occasions, presented blank withdrawal slips to another OI member for his signature.
The OI member signed the withdrawal slips accordingly, believing that they were for transferring funds for the OI's reserve.
The court heard that during the above period, the defendant had fraudulently transferred a total of $472,500 from the OI bank account to his personal account.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Peter Daryanani, assisted by ICAC officer Venus Shum.