A former supervisor of a nursery school, charged by the ICAC, admitted at Eastern Magistracy today (Monday) that she had solicited a $60,000 bribe from a subordinate and deceived tutorial fees totalling over $120,000 from parents.

Karen Tsoi Ching-yin, 35, former supervisor of Ng Sheung Lan Memorial Nursery School (NSLMNS), pleaded guilty to one count of agent soliciting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, and one of conspiracy to defra ud.

Magistrate Mr Winston Leung Wing-chung adjourned the case until September 25 for mitigation, pending probation order and background reports. The defendant was granted cash bail of $10,000, and ordered not to leave Hong Kong.

The nursery school is run by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (Tung Wah Group).

The court heard that on July 17, 2006, a child care worker of NSLMNS was informed by the defendant that she would be transferred to another nursery school under Tung Wah Group.

After the child care worker had expressed her desire to stay in NSLMNS, the defendant solicited a loan of $60,000 as a reward for helping her remain working at the nursery school.

The management of Tung Wah Group prohibited its staff from soliciting or accepting advantages in relation to the group's business.

The court also heard that the defendant had conspired with another person to defraud parents of about 40 students at NSLMNS between January and September 2006.

She falsely represented to those parents that they were required to pay for English and Putonghua tutorials organised by an education centre, when in fact the fees were wholly borne by the Tung Wah Group.

ICAC enquiries revealed that the fees deceived from the parents by the defendant amounted to $122,100, the court was told.

The Tung Wah Group had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.

The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Susanna Ku, assisted by ICAC officer Julian Cheung.