Couple sentenced for defrauding URA of $136,000 cash compensation over redevelopment project
2005-9-28
A couple, charged by the ICAC, was today (Wednesday) sentenced at Kowloon City Magistracy for defrauding the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) of cash compensation totalling $136,000 in relation to a redevelopment project.
Kwan Fan-shing, 40, received an immediate custodial sentence of six months, while his wife Chan Sok-I, 36, was jailed for six months, suspended for two years. The couple was also each ordered to pay a restitution of $50,000 to URA within two months.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Kevin Browne said it was a serious offence to defraud the government of public funds.
Kwan and Chan were today found guilty of one count of fraud.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. ICAC enquiries revealed the fraud offence.
The court heard that in July 2002, the couple learnt from a friend, the alleged mastermind of the scam, that URA would acquire a building in Reclamation Street, Mong Kok for redevelopment.
Upon the request of the alleged mastermind, the couple rented a room on the rooftop of the building, with a view to obtaining cash compensation from URA.
The alleged mastermind paid the deposits and rental incurred, and requested to share the cash compensation with Kwan.
In October 2002, the couple falsely represented that they lived in the above premises when URA officers conducted an occupancy survey.
As a result of the couple's false representation, URA issued to them cash compensation totalling $136,000.
Kwan passed $110,000 to the alleged mastermind, and pocketed the rest of the payment.
Had URA found that the couple did not live in the premises concerned, the couple would be offered compensation totalling $34,486 only, the court was told.
So far, 22 persons, including the couple and a former URA Assistant Manager, have been charged with corruption, fraud and related offences in connection with the case. Eleven of them pleaded guilty or were convicted. Three were given jail terms ranging from four to 32 months, while the other eight received suspended sentences. The remaining 11, including the alleged mastermind, are pending trial.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Marco Li, assisted by ICAC officers Mabel Chu and Ronald Kwan.
Kwan Fan-shing, 40, received an immediate custodial sentence of six months, while his wife Chan Sok-I, 36, was jailed for six months, suspended for two years. The couple was also each ordered to pay a restitution of $50,000 to URA within two months.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Kevin Browne said it was a serious offence to defraud the government of public funds.
Kwan and Chan were today found guilty of one count of fraud.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. ICAC enquiries revealed the fraud offence.
The court heard that in July 2002, the couple learnt from a friend, the alleged mastermind of the scam, that URA would acquire a building in Reclamation Street, Mong Kok for redevelopment.
Upon the request of the alleged mastermind, the couple rented a room on the rooftop of the building, with a view to obtaining cash compensation from URA.
The alleged mastermind paid the deposits and rental incurred, and requested to share the cash compensation with Kwan.
In October 2002, the couple falsely represented that they lived in the above premises when URA officers conducted an occupancy survey.
As a result of the couple's false representation, URA issued to them cash compensation totalling $136,000.
Kwan passed $110,000 to the alleged mastermind, and pocketed the rest of the payment.
Had URA found that the couple did not live in the premises concerned, the couple would be offered compensation totalling $34,486 only, the court was told.
So far, 22 persons, including the couple and a former URA Assistant Manager, have been charged with corruption, fraud and related offences in connection with the case. Eleven of them pleaded guilty or were convicted. Three were given jail terms ranging from four to 32 months, while the other eight received suspended sentences. The remaining 11, including the alleged mastermind, are pending trial.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Marco Li, assisted by ICAC officers Mabel Chu and Ronald Kwan.