Tourism Board's former manageress and staff sentenced for false claims of entertainment fees
2005-1-19
Three former staff members of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), charged by the ICAC, were today (Wednesday) sentenced at Eastern Magistracy for making false claims of entertainment and taxi expenses totalling over $7,700 from HKTB.
Elsie Wan Yuen-yee, 56, former manageress of HKTB, was jailed for three months by Magistrate Mr Johnny Chan.
Luk Chi-man, 24, and Choi Sau-yee, 27, both former officers of HKTB, were each sentenced to 60 hours of community service.
Wan earlier 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 admitted two similar offences.
Wan and Luk also pleaded guilty to one joint charge of conspiracy to defraud HKTB.
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.
Elsie Wan Yuen-yee, 56, former manageress of HKTB, was jailed for three months by Magistrate Mr Johnny Chan.
Luk Chi-man, 24, and Choi Sau-yee, 27, both former officers of HKTB, were each sentenced to 60 hours of community service.
Wan earlier 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 admitted two similar offences.
Wan and Luk also pleaded guilty to one joint charge of conspiracy to defraud HKTB.
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.