Ex-purchasing officer of hotel admits accepting bribes
2007-5-10
A former purchasing officer of Langham Hotel Hong Kong (Langham), charged by the ICAC, today (Thursday) admitted at the District Court that he had accepted bribes in the form of "tea money" from a frozen meat supplier for placing purchase orders with the latter.
Wong Wah-lock, 46, pleaded guilty to two counts of agent accepting advantages, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Judge Yau Chi-lap adjourned the case until June 8 for mention, and granted the defendant cash bail of $5,000.
The court heard that the defendant joined Langham in 1990 as a purchasing officer. He was responsible for procuring food and beverages from various suppliers.
The defendant came to know the operator of a frozen meat supplier of Langham.
Since late 2001, the defendant had accepted "tea money" from the operator as a reward for placing more orders with his company. The operator gave the defendant a sum of about $1,000 as "tea money" once every several months, the court heard.
The defendant also attended monthly "mahjong gatherings" organised by the operator, during which the operator gave bribe payments to all participants, including the defendant.
The court also heard that on December 6, 2005, the defendant, the operator and two other persons were arrested by ICAC officers during a "mahjong gathering". A sum of $3,700 was seized from the defendant.
When interviewed under caution by ICAC officers, the defendant admitted that the sum was "tea money" given to him by the operator.
The management of Langham prohibited its employees from soliciting or accepting advantages in relation to the hotel's business, the court heard.
Apart from the defendant, 13 other persons have been charged by the ICAC with bribery and related offences in connection with the same investigation.
Of the 13 persons charged, one is awaiting trial in August. Ten have been convicted, with five of them sentenced to jail terms ranging from three months to 18 months, while the remaining five are pending sentence. Another defendant is awaiting verdict w hile the remaining one was acquitted after trial.
The prosecution was today represented by Acting Senior Government Counsel Ned Lai, assisted by ICAC officer Winnie Wong.
Wong Wah-lock, 46, pleaded guilty to two counts of agent accepting advantages, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Judge Yau Chi-lap adjourned the case until June 8 for mention, and granted the defendant cash bail of $5,000.
The court heard that the defendant joined Langham in 1990 as a purchasing officer. He was responsible for procuring food and beverages from various suppliers.
The defendant came to know the operator of a frozen meat supplier of Langham.
Since late 2001, the defendant had accepted "tea money" from the operator as a reward for placing more orders with his company. The operator gave the defendant a sum of about $1,000 as "tea money" once every several months, the court heard.
The defendant also attended monthly "mahjong gatherings" organised by the operator, during which the operator gave bribe payments to all participants, including the defendant.
The court also heard that on December 6, 2005, the defendant, the operator and two other persons were arrested by ICAC officers during a "mahjong gathering". A sum of $3,700 was seized from the defendant.
When interviewed under caution by ICAC officers, the defendant admitted that the sum was "tea money" given to him by the operator.
The management of Langham prohibited its employees from soliciting or accepting advantages in relation to the hotel's business, the court heard.
Apart from the defendant, 13 other persons have been charged by the ICAC with bribery and related offences in connection with the same investigation.
Of the 13 persons charged, one is awaiting trial in August. Ten have been convicted, with five of them sentenced to jail terms ranging from three months to 18 months, while the remaining five are pending sentence. Another defendant is awaiting verdict w hile the remaining one was acquitted after trial.
The prosecution was today represented by Acting Senior Government Counsel Ned Lai, assisted by ICAC officer Winnie Wong.