34 months' jail for ex-salesman bribing accountant over theft cover-up
2003-9-15
A former salesman of a trading company, charged by the ICAC, was today (Monday) sentenced to 34 months' imprisonment at District Court for offering bribes to the company's accountant for turning a blind eye to his misappropriation of $1.93 million in sale s proceeds.
Wong Man-chong, 48, formerly employed by China Merchants Import & Export Company Limited (China Merchants), earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, and 27 counts of theft.
In imposing the custodial sentence, Deputy Judge Robert McNair said bribery offences must not be tolerated, adding that the defendant had caused a serious breach of trust.
The court heard that while employed by China Merchants, Wong was responsible for the sales and delivery of the company's medical products, and collecting payments from customers.
Between March 1999 and October 2000, Wong had falsely represented to seven customers of China Merchants that the company was short of cash flow and demanded cash payments from them.
Wong subsequently pocketed over $1.93 million in sales proceeds by cashing the cheques presented by those customers.
The court heard that Wong had offered advantages to an accountant of China Merchants for turning a blind eye to the theft.
The advantages included a sum of $65,280, and a favour of the early repayment of a $170,400 loan, which Wong had borrowed from the accountant.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Peter Daryanani, assisted by ICAC officer Patrick Leung.
Wong Man-chong, 48, formerly employed by China Merchants Import & Export Company Limited (China Merchants), earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, and 27 counts of theft.
In imposing the custodial sentence, Deputy Judge Robert McNair said bribery offences must not be tolerated, adding that the defendant had caused a serious breach of trust.
The court heard that while employed by China Merchants, Wong was responsible for the sales and delivery of the company's medical products, and collecting payments from customers.
Between March 1999 and October 2000, Wong had falsely represented to seven customers of China Merchants that the company was short of cash flow and demanded cash payments from them.
Wong subsequently pocketed over $1.93 million in sales proceeds by cashing the cheques presented by those customers.
The court heard that Wong had offered advantages to an accountant of China Merchants for turning a blind eye to the theft.
The advantages included a sum of $65,280, and a favour of the early repayment of a $170,400 loan, which Wong had borrowed from the accountant.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Peter Daryanani, assisted by ICAC officer Patrick Leung.