Forty-seven arrested for alleged bribery over food supplies to hotels, restaurants and clubs
2007-5-8
The ICAC has arrested 47 persons, including 22 chefs and purchasing staff of various hotels, restaurants and clubs, for allegedly accepting bribes from food suppliers for placing purchase orders.
The arrested purchasing staff and chefs are employees of seven hotels, nine restaurants and cafes, four clubs, and the food section of a department store.
Also arrested in an ICAC operation code-named " Chained Horses ", which commenced on Sunday (May 6), were 21 operators and staff of various food suppliers, as well as four other individuals.
The investigation arose from complaints alleging corruption in the catering industry.
ICAC enquiries revealed that the arrested purchasing staff and chefs of the above catering establishments had allegedly accepted cash payments or loans from operators and employees of suppliers for fresh and dried seafood, frozen meat, poultry and fruit.
The alleged bribes are suspected to be rewards for the purchasing staff and chefs to place orders with the above suppliers.
It is also alleged that with the corrupt connivance of their staff members, some of the suppliers had inflated payment amounts in invoices for food purchase orders from various catering establishments.
Investigation also revealed that on a number of occasions, the description and quantities of food delivered to the catering establishments did not match those stated in the invoices.
Enquiries are continuing.
The arrested purchasing staff and chefs are employees of seven hotels, nine restaurants and cafes, four clubs, and the food section of a department store.
Also arrested in an ICAC operation code-named " Chained Horses ", which commenced on Sunday (May 6), were 21 operators and staff of various food suppliers, as well as four other individuals.
The investigation arose from complaints alleging corruption in the catering industry.
ICAC enquiries revealed that the arrested purchasing staff and chefs of the above catering establishments had allegedly accepted cash payments or loans from operators and employees of suppliers for fresh and dried seafood, frozen meat, poultry and fruit.
The alleged bribes are suspected to be rewards for the purchasing staff and chefs to place orders with the above suppliers.
It is also alleged that with the corrupt connivance of their staff members, some of the suppliers had inflated payment amounts in invoices for food purchase orders from various catering establishments.
Investigation also revealed that on a number of occasions, the description and quantities of food delivered to the catering establishments did not match those stated in the invoices.
Enquiries are continuing.