WSD inspector and licensed plumber jailed for bribery over plumbing drawings for water work projects
2007-10-5
An inspector of the Water Supplies Department (WSD) and a licensed plumber, charged by the ICAC, were today (Friday) jailed for bribery in relation to plumbing drawings for various water work projects.
Kwok Yan-tak, 59, Consumer Services Inspector of WSD, received an imprisonment of 12 months, while Ma King-tsang, 49, proprietor of Po Wo Engineering Company, was jailed for 14 months.
The court also made a restitution order of $77,000 against Kwok.
The defendants were earlier found guilty of a joint charge of conspiracy to offer advantages to a public servant.
Kwok was also convicted of one count of prescribed officer accepting an advantage, while Ma was further found guilty of offering an advantage to a prescribed officer whilst having dealings with the Government.
Passing sentences in Kwun Tong Magistracy, Deputy Judge Johnny Chan said the defendants had committed serious offences, which might jeopardise a fair society and impair the image of WSD.
The court heard that Kwok was responsible for processing water supply applications and vetting plumbing drawings in applications in the Kowloon region. He would also make recommendations to his superior as to whether approval should be granted to the rel evant water works.
Between October 2002 and May 2006, Ma had requested Kwok to prepare plumbing drawings for a total of 15 water work projects and offered monetary advantages ranging from $2,000 to $8,000 per project as rewards.
The court heard that during the above period, Kwok had accepted a total of $75,000 in bribes from Ma.
The court also heard that during the Lunar New Year in 2006, Ma offered a "lai see" containing $2,000 to Kwok.
Kwok had accepted the "lai see", without the general or special permission of the Chief Executive.
WSD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC in the course of its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Susanna Ku, assisted by ICAC officer Dominic Chan.
Kwok Yan-tak, 59, Consumer Services Inspector of WSD, received an imprisonment of 12 months, while Ma King-tsang, 49, proprietor of Po Wo Engineering Company, was jailed for 14 months.
The court also made a restitution order of $77,000 against Kwok.
The defendants were earlier found guilty of a joint charge of conspiracy to offer advantages to a public servant.
Kwok was also convicted of one count of prescribed officer accepting an advantage, while Ma was further found guilty of offering an advantage to a prescribed officer whilst having dealings with the Government.
Passing sentences in Kwun Tong Magistracy, Deputy Judge Johnny Chan said the defendants had committed serious offences, which might jeopardise a fair society and impair the image of WSD.
The court heard that Kwok was responsible for processing water supply applications and vetting plumbing drawings in applications in the Kowloon region. He would also make recommendations to his superior as to whether approval should be granted to the rel evant water works.
Between October 2002 and May 2006, Ma had requested Kwok to prepare plumbing drawings for a total of 15 water work projects and offered monetary advantages ranging from $2,000 to $8,000 per project as rewards.
The court heard that during the above period, Kwok had accepted a total of $75,000 in bribes from Ma.
The court also heard that during the Lunar New Year in 2006, Ma offered a "lai see" containing $2,000 to Kwok.
Kwok had accepted the "lai see", without the general or special permission of the Chief Executive.
WSD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC in the course of its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Susanna Ku, assisted by ICAC officer Dominic Chan.