Ex-purchasing officer of hotel jailed for accepting bribes
2007-9-5
A former purchasing officer of Langham Hotel Hong Kong (Langham), charged by the ICAC, was today (Wednesday) sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment at the District Court for accepting bribes from a frozen meat supplier for placing purchase orders with the l atter.
Wong Wah-lock, 46, was also ordered by the court to pay a restitution of $65,000 to his former employer.
The defendant earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of agent accepting advantages, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
In sentencing, Judge Yau Chi-lap said Hong Kong had become one of the cleanest cities after 30-odd years of efforts in fighting corruption.
The judge added that the court would not allow the corrupt to spoil such efforts, and the society would not tolerate corruption. Hence, a custodial sentence was imposed on the defendant.
The court heard that the defendant joined Langham in 1990 as a supervisor to receive goods from suppliers. He was later promoted to become the purchasing officer responsible for procuring food and beverages.
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, 12 have been convicted, with five of them sentenced to jail terms ranging from three months to 18 months, one ordered to perform 240 hours of community service, while six are pending sentence. The remaining one was acquitted af ter trial.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Ned Lai, assisted by ICAC officer William Lam.
Wong Wah-lock, 46, was also ordered by the court to pay a restitution of $65,000 to his former employer.
The defendant earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of agent accepting advantages, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
In sentencing, Judge Yau Chi-lap said Hong Kong had become one of the cleanest cities after 30-odd years of efforts in fighting corruption.
The judge added that the court would not allow the corrupt to spoil such efforts, and the society would not tolerate corruption. Hence, a custodial sentence was imposed on the defendant.
The court heard that the defendant joined Langham in 1990 as a supervisor to receive goods from suppliers. He was later promoted to become the purchasing officer responsible for procuring food and beverages.
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, 12 have been convicted, with five of them sentenced to jail terms ranging from three months to 18 months, one ordered to perform 240 hours of community service, while six are pending sentence. The remaining one was acquitted af ter trial.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Ned Lai, assisted by ICAC officer William Lam.