Ex-primary school principal faces ICAC charge of misconduct in public office
2009-9-15
A former principal of a government aided school was charged by the ICAC for misconduct in public office and conspiracy to defraud in awarding $250,000 worth of work orders of the school to companies owned by his brother.
So Yau-hang, 55, former principal of Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping Primary School, faces one count of misconduct in public office, contrary to Common Law.
He is also jointly charged with his brother, So Yau-cheong, 53, unemployed, and Ma Sai-tong, 42, a teacher, for one count of conspiracy to defraud.
The trio will appear before Kwun Tong Magistracy at 9:30 am tomorrow (Wednesday) for plea.
The case originated from a corruption complaint. ICAC inquiries revealed the above alleged offences.
The misconduct charge alleges that between June 2001 and November 2006, So Yau-hang, in the course of his public office as the principal of Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping Primary School (the school), has wilfully and intentionally misconducted himself.
He allegedly arranged quotations from four companies that were related to his brother, So Yau-cheong, to be provided to the school; and subsequently caused the school to engage those companies to provide maintenance, renovation or other services.
He also allegedly failed to declare to the school his relationship with his brother, in accordance with Government guidelines.
It is alleged that 10 separate job orders, including installation of microphone and air-conditioners in the school hall and cleansing of ventilating fans, worth about $150,000, have been awarded to the aforesaid companies operated by So Yau-hang’s brother.
The conspiracy charge alleges that in April 2006, the trio had conspired together to defraud the school by falsely representing that Wan Kee Engineering Company (Wan Kee) had submitted only one quotation to the school, which contained the lowest bid in th e tendering exercise for a school renovation contract, thereby causing the contract to be awarded to Wan Kee.
ICAC inquiries revealed that Wan Kee’s bid was the highest amongst five contractors when the tender was opened, but the trio allegedly arranged for Wan Kee to submit a second quotation so that it became the lowest among all bidders.
Wan Kee was subsequently granted the job at about $105,000.
The defendants have been granted ICAC bail, pending their court appearance tomorrow.
So Yau-hang, 55, former principal of Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping Primary School, faces one count of misconduct in public office, contrary to Common Law.
He is also jointly charged with his brother, So Yau-cheong, 53, unemployed, and Ma Sai-tong, 42, a teacher, for one count of conspiracy to defraud.
The trio will appear before Kwun Tong Magistracy at 9:30 am tomorrow (Wednesday) for plea.
The case originated from a corruption complaint. ICAC inquiries revealed the above alleged offences.
The misconduct charge alleges that between June 2001 and November 2006, So Yau-hang, in the course of his public office as the principal of Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping Primary School (the school), has wilfully and intentionally misconducted himself.
He allegedly arranged quotations from four companies that were related to his brother, So Yau-cheong, to be provided to the school; and subsequently caused the school to engage those companies to provide maintenance, renovation or other services.
He also allegedly failed to declare to the school his relationship with his brother, in accordance with Government guidelines.
It is alleged that 10 separate job orders, including installation of microphone and air-conditioners in the school hall and cleansing of ventilating fans, worth about $150,000, have been awarded to the aforesaid companies operated by So Yau-hang’s brother.
The conspiracy charge alleges that in April 2006, the trio had conspired together to defraud the school by falsely representing that Wan Kee Engineering Company (Wan Kee) had submitted only one quotation to the school, which contained the lowest bid in th e tendering exercise for a school renovation contract, thereby causing the contract to be awarded to Wan Kee.
ICAC inquiries revealed that Wan Kee’s bid was the highest amongst five contractors when the tender was opened, but the trio allegedly arranged for Wan Kee to submit a second quotation so that it became the lowest among all bidders.
Wan Kee was subsequently granted the job at about $105,000.
The defendants have been granted ICAC bail, pending their court appearance tomorrow.