Ex-Assistant Manager of URA jailed for bribery and fraud over redevelopment compensation
2005-3-8
A former Assistant Manager of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), charged by the ICAC, was today (Tuesday) sentenced to 32 months' imprisonment for bribery and conspiracy to defraud in relation to compensation over five redevelopment projects of URA.
Deputy Judge Livesey also ordered Sinon Chan Ling-wai to pay URA $100,000 in restitution.
Chan, 41, today pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for public servant to accept an advantage, and four of conspiracy to defraud.
The court heard that while employed as an Assistant Manager by URA, Chan was approached by the director of a company for confidential URA information in relation to upcoming redevelopment projects.
Chan agreed to provide, in return for advantages, the confidential information, so that the company director could plant "occupants" in those projects in order to deceive compensation from URA.
In July 2002, Chan notified the company director about a redevelopment project in Larch Street, where the latter had purchased a property in the belief that it would be acquired by URA.
Pursuant to the agreement, Chan subsequently accepted $100,000 from the company director.
The court also heard that Chan had conspired with the company director to defraud URA in relation to four other redevelopment projects at Po On Road, Reclamation Street, First Street, and Lee Tung Street.
Chan had disclosed to the company director confidential information about the schedule of occupancy surveys of these redevelopment projects.
Upon receiving the information, the company director arranged for a number of persons, purported to be tenants at those projects, to apply to URA for cash compensation for surrendering the premises.
The court heard that as a result, URA was induced to approve these applications and to grant cash compensation totalling over $2 million.
Out of the cash compensation, Chan received a total of $269,500 as rewards, the court was told.
The bribery and fraud offences took place between June 2002 and April last year.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Simon Tam, assisted by ICAC officer Bryan Chong.
Deputy Judge Livesey also ordered Sinon Chan Ling-wai to pay URA $100,000 in restitution.
Chan, 41, today pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for public servant to accept an advantage, and four of conspiracy to defraud.
The court heard that while employed as an Assistant Manager by URA, Chan was approached by the director of a company for confidential URA information in relation to upcoming redevelopment projects.
Chan agreed to provide, in return for advantages, the confidential information, so that the company director could plant "occupants" in those projects in order to deceive compensation from URA.
In July 2002, Chan notified the company director about a redevelopment project in Larch Street, where the latter had purchased a property in the belief that it would be acquired by URA.
Pursuant to the agreement, Chan subsequently accepted $100,000 from the company director.
The court also heard that Chan had conspired with the company director to defraud URA in relation to four other redevelopment projects at Po On Road, Reclamation Street, First Street, and Lee Tung Street.
Chan had disclosed to the company director confidential information about the schedule of occupancy surveys of these redevelopment projects.
Upon receiving the information, the company director arranged for a number of persons, purported to be tenants at those projects, to apply to URA for cash compensation for surrendering the premises.
The court heard that as a result, URA was induced to approve these applications and to grant cash compensation totalling over $2 million.
Out of the cash compensation, Chan received a total of $269,500 as rewards, the court was told.
The bribery and fraud offences took place between June 2002 and April last year.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Simon Tam, assisted by ICAC officer Bryan Chong.