HD Surveyor guilty of misconduct in awarding $5.9m worth of contracts
2004-5-14
A Maintenance Surveyor of the Housing Department (HD), charged by the ICAC, was today (Friday) convicted of misconduct in public office in awarding $5.97 million worth of maintenance contracts of various HD housing estates and shopping centres.
Irene Wong, 45, was found guilty on seven counts of misconduct in public office under the Common Law. The court ordered another similar charge be left on file.
District Court Judge Peter Line adjourned sentencing until Monday (May 17). The defendant was granted bail of $50,000 in cash.
The court heard that at the time of the offences between 1996 and 1999, Wong was the project officer overseeing various HD maintenance projects. Her duties included calling for tenders and recommending contractors for the relevant projects.
Wong came to know Chung Tat-yan in 1994, who operated Harbour Grow Holdings Limited (Harbour Grow), Wo Loong Engineering and Construction Limited (Wo Loong), and Hong Kong Building Products Limited (HKBPL).
ICAC investigations revealed that Wong's immediate family and relatives had an interest in the holding company of Harbour Grow, while Wong herself was the registered secretary of that company.
The court heard that Wong had shown improper partiality towards Harbour Grow, Wo Loong and HKBPL in awarding various maintenance projects between 1996 and 1999, and failed to declare a conflict of interest arising from her relationship with Chung.
As a result, HD had awarded maintenance contracts, worth $4,355,581 in total, to those companies controlled by Chung.
The court also heard that Wong had arranged for Fong Wing Shing Construction Company Limited (FWS) to submit a quotation for another maintenance contract on behalf of HKBPL, knowing that the latter was less qualified to be awarded the contract.
Upon Wong's recommendation, HD accepted the quotation submitted by FWS and awarded the company a contract worth $1,618,847. FWS later subcontracted the same project to HKBPL upon Wong's request.
The prosecution was today represented by Shaun Kelly on a fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Jonathan Ho.
Irene Wong, 45, was found guilty on seven counts of misconduct in public office under the Common Law. The court ordered another similar charge be left on file.
District Court Judge Peter Line adjourned sentencing until Monday (May 17). The defendant was granted bail of $50,000 in cash.
The court heard that at the time of the offences between 1996 and 1999, Wong was the project officer overseeing various HD maintenance projects. Her duties included calling for tenders and recommending contractors for the relevant projects.
Wong came to know Chung Tat-yan in 1994, who operated Harbour Grow Holdings Limited (Harbour Grow), Wo Loong Engineering and Construction Limited (Wo Loong), and Hong Kong Building Products Limited (HKBPL).
ICAC investigations revealed that Wong's immediate family and relatives had an interest in the holding company of Harbour Grow, while Wong herself was the registered secretary of that company.
The court heard that Wong had shown improper partiality towards Harbour Grow, Wo Loong and HKBPL in awarding various maintenance projects between 1996 and 1999, and failed to declare a conflict of interest arising from her relationship with Chung.
As a result, HD had awarded maintenance contracts, worth $4,355,581 in total, to those companies controlled by Chung.
The court also heard that Wong had arranged for Fong Wing Shing Construction Company Limited (FWS) to submit a quotation for another maintenance contract on behalf of HKBPL, knowing that the latter was less qualified to be awarded the contract.
Upon Wong's recommendation, HD accepted the quotation submitted by FWS and awarded the company a contract worth $1,618,847. FWS later subcontracted the same project to HKBPL upon Wong's request.
The prosecution was today represented by Shaun Kelly on a fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Jonathan Ho.