Recruitment agent jailed for bribery over recruitment of part-time promoters
2009-3-5
A recruitment agent, charged by the ICAC, was today (Thursday) jailed for four and a half months at Eastern Magistracy for his role in a conspiracy with a former manager of a food manufacturing company to accept $100,000 in illegal commissions in relation to the recruitment of part-time promoters.
Sum Cheuk-ming, 45, a recruitment agent, was earlier found guilty of one count of conspiracy with an agent to accept advantages, contrary to Section 9(1)(b) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Rickie Chan Kam-cheong said a custodial sentence was imposed on the defendant as the bribery scam lasted a long period of time and was premeditated.
The court heard that Four Seas Mercantile Limited (Four Seas) was a food trading and manufacturing company. Part-time promoters were recruited to promote its products.
On May 14, 2001, Andrew Toh joined Four Seas as a manager responsible for selling and promoting its products. He left the company in December 2007.
In 2003, Sum, a recruitment agent, learnt from Toh that Four Seas was in need of part-time promoters.
Sum suggested that he could refer promoters to Four Seas and charge each promoter a referral fee of $50 per day, with half of the referral fee to be paid to Toh as a reward. Toh agreed to the proposal.
The court heard that between January 2003 and November 2007, Sum and Toh conspired together for Toh to accept the illegal commissions at the rate of $25 per day per promoter recruited by Sum for Four Seas. The illegal commissions amounted to about $100,0 00.
Four Seas prohibited its employees from soliciting or accepting advantages in relation to the company’s business, the court was told.
Toh, 46, who was also charged for his role in the case, had pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy offence. He was earlier sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Bernard Yuen, assisted by ICAC officer Jennifer Tam.
Sum Cheuk-ming, 45, a recruitment agent, was earlier found guilty of one count of conspiracy with an agent to accept advantages, contrary to Section 9(1)(b) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Rickie Chan Kam-cheong said a custodial sentence was imposed on the defendant as the bribery scam lasted a long period of time and was premeditated.
The court heard that Four Seas Mercantile Limited (Four Seas) was a food trading and manufacturing company. Part-time promoters were recruited to promote its products.
On May 14, 2001, Andrew Toh joined Four Seas as a manager responsible for selling and promoting its products. He left the company in December 2007.
In 2003, Sum, a recruitment agent, learnt from Toh that Four Seas was in need of part-time promoters.
Sum suggested that he could refer promoters to Four Seas and charge each promoter a referral fee of $50 per day, with half of the referral fee to be paid to Toh as a reward. Toh agreed to the proposal.
The court heard that between January 2003 and November 2007, Sum and Toh conspired together for Toh to accept the illegal commissions at the rate of $25 per day per promoter recruited by Sum for Four Seas. The illegal commissions amounted to about $100,0 00.
Four Seas prohibited its employees from soliciting or accepting advantages in relation to the company’s business, the court was told.
Toh, 46, who was also charged for his role in the case, had pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy offence. He was earlier sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Bernard Yuen, assisted by ICAC officer Jennifer Tam.