Tourism Board's former manageress and staff admit false claims of entertainment fees
2005-1-5
Three former staff members of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), charged by the ICAC, today (Wednesday) admitted at Eastern Magistracy that they had made false claims of entertainment and taxi expenses totalling over $7,700 from HKTB.
The defendants, Elsie Wan Yuen-yee, 56, former manageress of HKTB; Luk Chi-man, 24, and Choi Sau-yee, 27, both former officers of HKTB, were earlier arrested by the ICAC during a corruption inquiry.
Wan today pleaded guilty to seven counts of agent using document with intent to deceive his principal, contrary to Section 9(3) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance; while Luk and Choi each pleaded guilty to two similar offences.
Wan and Luk also pleaded guilty to one joint charge of conspiracy to defraud HKTB.
Magistrate Mr Johnny Chan adjourned sentencing until January 19, 2005, pending the defendants' background and community service order reports.
Wan was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department, while Luk and Choi were each granted cash bail of $5,000.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint, alleging that false claims of reimbursement of expenses submitted by some HKTB staff were corruptly condoned by the claimants' supervisors. Subsequent inquiries revealed the fraudulent claims of e xpenses.
Under HKTB's regulations, the defendants, while being employed by HKTB, were entitled to claim reimbursement of expenses incurred in relation to HKTB business.
The court heard that on various occasions between June 2002 and August 2003, the defendants submitted to HKTB management Expense Claim Forms for the reimbursement of expenses purportedly incurred in connection with meals with business associates of HKTB a t various restaurants.
ICAC investigation revealed that these meals were in fact, consumed by the defendants themselves or other HKTB staff, and that no HKTB clients or associates were present.
The court also heard that Wan and Luk had conspired together and with another person to defraud HKTB by dishonestly inducing HKTB to reimburse Luk and the other person for taxi expenses which the latter had not incurred.
The defendants had fraudulently obtained reimbursement totalling over $7,762 from HKTB, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by Ms Susanna Ku, counsel on fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Teresa Cheung.
The defendants, Elsie Wan Yuen-yee, 56, former manageress of HKTB; Luk Chi-man, 24, and Choi Sau-yee, 27, both former officers of HKTB, were earlier arrested by the ICAC during a corruption inquiry.
Wan today pleaded guilty to seven counts of agent using document with intent to deceive his principal, contrary to Section 9(3) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance; while Luk and Choi each pleaded guilty to two similar offences.
Wan and Luk also pleaded guilty to one joint charge of conspiracy to defraud HKTB.
Magistrate Mr Johnny Chan adjourned sentencing until January 19, 2005, pending the defendants' background and community service order reports.
Wan was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department, while Luk and Choi were each granted cash bail of $5,000.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint, alleging that false claims of reimbursement of expenses submitted by some HKTB staff were corruptly condoned by the claimants' supervisors. Subsequent inquiries revealed the fraudulent claims of e xpenses.
Under HKTB's regulations, the defendants, while being employed by HKTB, were entitled to claim reimbursement of expenses incurred in relation to HKTB business.
The court heard that on various occasions between June 2002 and August 2003, the defendants submitted to HKTB management Expense Claim Forms for the reimbursement of expenses purportedly incurred in connection with meals with business associates of HKTB a t various restaurants.
ICAC investigation revealed that these meals were in fact, consumed by the defendants themselves or other HKTB staff, and that no HKTB clients or associates were present.
The court also heard that Wan and Luk had conspired together and with another person to defraud HKTB by dishonestly inducing HKTB to reimburse Luk and the other person for taxi expenses which the latter had not incurred.
The defendants had fraudulently obtained reimbursement totalling over $7,762 from HKTB, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by Ms Susanna Ku, counsel on fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Teresa Cheung.