One year's jail for ex-tour agency supervisor accepting $180,000 in bribes over coach hire
2003-6-24
A former deputy supervisor of a travel agency was today (Tuesday) sentenced to one year's imprisonment at District Court for accepting over $180,000 in bribes in relation to the hiring of coaches.
Chan Yuan-kwai, 37, formerly employed by Guangdong (HK) Tours Company Limited (Guangdong Tours), pleaded guilty to 24 counts of agent accepting advantages, contrary to Section 9(1)(b) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Chan was also ordered to pay $188,846 in restitution to the liquidator of Guangdong Tours, which earlier went into liquidation.
In sentencing, Judge Christie said an immediate custodial sentence was warranted since the defendant was fully aware of the unlawfulness of the corrupt payments.
The judge added that the starting point of 18 months was reduced to one year, taking into account the defendant’s guilty plea and his clear record.
The court heard that while employed by Guangdong Tours, Chan was responsible for hiring tourist coaches from various suppliers, one of which was Guangzhou Hong Kong Coach Tour Service Limited (Coach Tour).
In 1998, an operations manager of Coach Tour offered to pay Chan rebates for Chan showing favour to Coach Tour in hiring coaches for Guangdong Tours.
The rebates were calculated at $5 per passenger seat hired by Guandgong Tours in each of the coach journeys.
Chan agreed to the scheme. Between January 1999 and June 2002, Chan accepted illegal rebates totalling $188,846.
The court heard that Guangdong Tours did not permit its staff to accept advantages in relation to their duties.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Martin Hui, assisted by ICAC officer Mon Chan.
Chan Yuan-kwai, 37, formerly employed by Guangdong (HK) Tours Company Limited (Guangdong Tours), pleaded guilty to 24 counts of agent accepting advantages, contrary to Section 9(1)(b) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Chan was also ordered to pay $188,846 in restitution to the liquidator of Guangdong Tours, which earlier went into liquidation.
In sentencing, Judge Christie said an immediate custodial sentence was warranted since the defendant was fully aware of the unlawfulness of the corrupt payments.
The judge added that the starting point of 18 months was reduced to one year, taking into account the defendant’s guilty plea and his clear record.
The court heard that while employed by Guangdong Tours, Chan was responsible for hiring tourist coaches from various suppliers, one of which was Guangzhou Hong Kong Coach Tour Service Limited (Coach Tour).
In 1998, an operations manager of Coach Tour offered to pay Chan rebates for Chan showing favour to Coach Tour in hiring coaches for Guangdong Tours.
The rebates were calculated at $5 per passenger seat hired by Guandgong Tours in each of the coach journeys.
Chan agreed to the scheme. Between January 1999 and June 2002, Chan accepted illegal rebates totalling $188,846.
The court heard that Guangdong Tours did not permit its staff to accept advantages in relation to their duties.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Martin Hui, assisted by ICAC officer Mon Chan.