Five jailed for fraud over fire service contractor registration
2004-12-4
Three fire service installation contractors (FSICs), an electrical engineer and a licensed plumber, charged by the ICAC, were today (Saturday) sentenced to jail terms up to 30 months at Kowloon City Magistracy for conspiracy to defraud in relation to appl ications for registration as FSICs.
Li Yu-kun, 47, an FSIC, received 30 months, while Tai Yuen-ming, 42, a licensed plumber, was jailed for 24 months.
Chau Ping-wah, 44, an electrical engineer; Leung Kai-pong, 36, and Tang Wing-chuen, 46, both FSICs, were each sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment.
The defendants were today found guilty of a total of three counts of conspiracy to defraud the Fire Services Department (FSD).
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Sham Siu-man said the offences committed by the defendants might put public safety at risk.
Tai, Chau and Tang made applications for bail pending their appeals, but the applications were rejected by the magistrate.
The defendants were earlier arrested by the ICAC during a corruption inquiry.
One of the charges stated that Li and Chau had conspired together and with other persons to defraud FSD.
They had dishonestly represented to FSD that Chau and two other persons were full-time employees of an engineering company in its application for registration as a FSIC (Classes 1 and 2) under the Fire Service (Installation Contractors) Regulations.
As a result of the false representation, FSD was induced to approve the application of the company.
Li, Tai and Leung faced a similar offence, while Li, Tai and Tang faced another similar charge.
The offences took place between July 1997 and August 2002.
FSD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by Susanna Ku, counsel on fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Clement Cheng.
Li Yu-kun, 47, an FSIC, received 30 months, while Tai Yuen-ming, 42, a licensed plumber, was jailed for 24 months.
Chau Ping-wah, 44, an electrical engineer; Leung Kai-pong, 36, and Tang Wing-chuen, 46, both FSICs, were each sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment.
The defendants were today found guilty of a total of three counts of conspiracy to defraud the Fire Services Department (FSD).
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Sham Siu-man said the offences committed by the defendants might put public safety at risk.
Tai, Chau and Tang made applications for bail pending their appeals, but the applications were rejected by the magistrate.
The defendants were earlier arrested by the ICAC during a corruption inquiry.
One of the charges stated that Li and Chau had conspired together and with other persons to defraud FSD.
They had dishonestly represented to FSD that Chau and two other persons were full-time employees of an engineering company in its application for registration as a FSIC (Classes 1 and 2) under the Fire Service (Installation Contractors) Regulations.
As a result of the false representation, FSD was induced to approve the application of the company.
Li, Tai and Leung faced a similar offence, while Li, Tai and Tang faced another similar charge.
The offences took place between July 1997 and August 2002.
FSD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by Susanna Ku, counsel on fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Clement Cheng.