Former CityU's Assistant Professor penalized for bribery over recruitment of research assistant
2004-8-31
A former Assistant Professor of the City University of Hong Kong (CityU), who had requested a Mainlander to rent a room in the flat he occupied for recommending the Mainlander to CityU for employment, was today (Tuesday) sentenced at Kowloon City Magistra cy for a bribery offence.
Liu Yaowu, 60, was today found guilty of one count of public servant accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 4(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Liu was sentenced by Magistrate Ms Tracy Chan to six months' imprisonment, suspended for three years.
The magistrate said in sentencing, she had taken into account Liu's clear record, his contribution to scientific research, as well as the relatively small amount of bribe involved in the case.
The court heard that at the time of the offence, Liu was employed by CityU as an Assistant Professor with the Department of Electronic Engineering. He headed a research team and was responsible for recruiting research assistants.
Since May 2001, Liu had rented a flat in Yau Yat Tsuen, Kowloon Tong, under the Home Financing Scheme of CityU.
Under the scheme, Liu was not allowed to sublet his flat to seek monetary gains.
The court heard that in early 2003, Liu recommended to CityU that He Mang be recruited from Beijing as a research assistant on a one-year contract commencing September 2003.
In April 2003, Liu told He over the telephone that he would be employed on a monthly salary of $14,300, but was required to rent a room in his flat at a monthly rental of $2,500.
On October 2, 2003, Liu met He in his flat in Yau Yat Tsuen. During the meeting, Liu agreed to accept a monthly rental of $2,500 from He.
CityU prohibits its employees from accepting any advantage in relation to their official duties, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by Lisa D'Almada Remedios on a fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Venus Shum.
Liu Yaowu, 60, was today found guilty of one count of public servant accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 4(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Liu was sentenced by Magistrate Ms Tracy Chan to six months' imprisonment, suspended for three years.
The magistrate said in sentencing, she had taken into account Liu's clear record, his contribution to scientific research, as well as the relatively small amount of bribe involved in the case.
The court heard that at the time of the offence, Liu was employed by CityU as an Assistant Professor with the Department of Electronic Engineering. He headed a research team and was responsible for recruiting research assistants.
Since May 2001, Liu had rented a flat in Yau Yat Tsuen, Kowloon Tong, under the Home Financing Scheme of CityU.
Under the scheme, Liu was not allowed to sublet his flat to seek monetary gains.
The court heard that in early 2003, Liu recommended to CityU that He Mang be recruited from Beijing as a research assistant on a one-year contract commencing September 2003.
In April 2003, Liu told He over the telephone that he would be employed on a monthly salary of $14,300, but was required to rent a room in his flat at a monthly rental of $2,500.
On October 2, 2003, Liu met He in his flat in Yau Yat Tsuen. During the meeting, Liu agreed to accept a monthly rental of $2,500 from He.
CityU prohibits its employees from accepting any advantage in relation to their official duties, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by Lisa D'Almada Remedios on a fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Venus Shum.