Mahjong school operator penalized for offering advantage to TELA officers
2006-6-22
An operator of a mahjong school, charged by the ICAC, was today (Thursday) sentenced at the Eastern Magistracy for offering bribes to two officers of the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority (TELA) over a licence application.
Lo Woon-tong, 71, operator of Tin Shing Mahjong & Tin Kau Entertainment (Tin Shing), was sentenced by Magistrate Mr Winston Leung to three months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and fined $20,000.
Lo was today found guilty of one count of offering an advantage to a public servant, contrary to Section 4(1)(c) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
The court heard that the tenancy agreement of the premises occupied by Tin Shing in Wu Pak Street, Aberdeen, expired in May 2005.
The defendant located another premises in Aberdeen Main Road to continue his business, and signed a tenancy agreement with the landlord in the following month.
In early July 2005, the defendant submitted an application to TELA for a new licence for Tin Shing.
After site visits and an opinion survey, the defendant was informed that his application would likely be turned down by TELA, as the new premises was close to churches and schools, and there was strong objection from the local community.
Upon the defendant's request, a Licensing Officer of TELA met the defendant at TELA office on September 23, 2005, in the presence of his supervisor, a Senior Licensing Officer.
When the defendant was asked if he had any new grounds for TELA to further consider his application, he took out an envelope containing four to five Mark Six lottery tickets and leave it on the desk.
The officers told the defendant to take the envelope back, to which he complied.
Before leaving, the defendant said he wished there would be "miracles" in his application, and that he would not forget the TELA officers even if they were transferred to other departments.
The defendant took out the envelope again and attempted to leave it on the desk, but was told to take it away.
The two officers reported the matter to the senior management of TELA. A report was then referred to the ICAC, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Marco Li, assisted by ICAC officer Queenie Woo.
Lo Woon-tong, 71, operator of Tin Shing Mahjong & Tin Kau Entertainment (Tin Shing), was sentenced by Magistrate Mr Winston Leung to three months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and fined $20,000.
Lo was today found guilty of one count of offering an advantage to a public servant, contrary to Section 4(1)(c) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
The court heard that the tenancy agreement of the premises occupied by Tin Shing in Wu Pak Street, Aberdeen, expired in May 2005.
The defendant located another premises in Aberdeen Main Road to continue his business, and signed a tenancy agreement with the landlord in the following month.
In early July 2005, the defendant submitted an application to TELA for a new licence for Tin Shing.
After site visits and an opinion survey, the defendant was informed that his application would likely be turned down by TELA, as the new premises was close to churches and schools, and there was strong objection from the local community.
Upon the defendant's request, a Licensing Officer of TELA met the defendant at TELA office on September 23, 2005, in the presence of his supervisor, a Senior Licensing Officer.
When the defendant was asked if he had any new grounds for TELA to further consider his application, he took out an envelope containing four to five Mark Six lottery tickets and leave it on the desk.
The officers told the defendant to take the envelope back, to which he complied.
Before leaving, the defendant said he wished there would be "miracles" in his application, and that he would not forget the TELA officers even if they were transferred to other departments.
The defendant took out the envelope again and attempted to leave it on the desk, but was told to take it away.
The two officers reported the matter to the senior management of TELA. A report was then referred to the ICAC, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Marco Li, assisted by ICAC officer Queenie Woo.