Businessman jailed for bribing C&E officer
2005-9-23
A businessman, charged by the ICAC, was today (Friday) sentenced to 14 months' imprisonment at District Court for offering bribe payments totalling $70,000 to an officer of the Customs & Excise Department (C&E) for obtaining restricted information on the duty rosters of C&E officers.
Tang Kwok-wai, 41, earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for a public servant to accept advantages, contrary to Section 4(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. Another similar charge against him was ordered to be left on court file.
In sentencing, Judge Stephen Geiser said a custodial sentence was imposed on the defendant in view of the seriousness of the corruption offence, which lasted a long period of time.
The court heard that in 1999, Tang came to be acquainted with an Assistant Trade Control Officer of C&E.
In January last year, the officer was transferred to the Textiles Tactical Strike Unit (TTSU) of the Textiles Tactical Investigation Bureau of C&E, which was tasked to conduct blitz checks on lorries conveying textile imports and exports through the contr ol points located in Man Kam To, Lok Ma Chau and Sha Tau Kok.
Tang asked the C&E officer to provide him with the duty rosters of the various teams of TTSU, so as to facilitate his delivery of textile products between Hong Kong and the Mainland.
At the outset, Tang agreed to make weekly payments of $2,000 as rewards to the C&E officer.
In January last year, Tang paid a total of $8,000 to the C&E officer for obtaining information on the duty rosters concerned.
The duo then agreed that monthly payments of $8,000 should be made instead.
In early September last year, the C&E officer asked Tang to make an advance payment to him.
On September 8 last year, Tang gave $5,000 to the C&E officer. Both of them were arrested by the ICAC.
The court heard that between January and September last year, Tang had paid bribes totalling about $70,000 to the C& E officer.
The C&E officer, who was also charged for his role in the case, earlier pleaded guilty to two bribery offences. He was sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment.
The prosecution was today represented by Newman Wong, counsel on fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Alice Wong.
Tang Kwok-wai, 41, earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for a public servant to accept advantages, contrary to Section 4(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. Another similar charge against him was ordered to be left on court file.
In sentencing, Judge Stephen Geiser said a custodial sentence was imposed on the defendant in view of the seriousness of the corruption offence, which lasted a long period of time.
The court heard that in 1999, Tang came to be acquainted with an Assistant Trade Control Officer of C&E.
In January last year, the officer was transferred to the Textiles Tactical Strike Unit (TTSU) of the Textiles Tactical Investigation Bureau of C&E, which was tasked to conduct blitz checks on lorries conveying textile imports and exports through the contr ol points located in Man Kam To, Lok Ma Chau and Sha Tau Kok.
Tang asked the C&E officer to provide him with the duty rosters of the various teams of TTSU, so as to facilitate his delivery of textile products between Hong Kong and the Mainland.
At the outset, Tang agreed to make weekly payments of $2,000 as rewards to the C&E officer.
In January last year, Tang paid a total of $8,000 to the C&E officer for obtaining information on the duty rosters concerned.
The duo then agreed that monthly payments of $8,000 should be made instead.
In early September last year, the C&E officer asked Tang to make an advance payment to him.
On September 8 last year, Tang gave $5,000 to the C&E officer. Both of them were arrested by the ICAC.
The court heard that between January and September last year, Tang had paid bribes totalling about $70,000 to the C& E officer.
The C&E officer, who was also charged for his role in the case, earlier pleaded guilty to two bribery offences. He was sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment.
The prosecution was today represented by Newman Wong, counsel on fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Alice Wong.