RC executive committee election candidate guilty of bribe-for-vote
2011-11-18
A candidate of the executive committee election of the 2011 Sheung Shui District Rural Committee (RC), charged by the ICAC, was today (Friday) convicted at Fanling Magistracy of offering a bribe of $130,000 to a village representative (VR) so as to induce the latter to vote for him at the election.
Brian Kan Ping-chee, 73, a retired horse trainer, was found guilty of one count of engaging in corrupt conduct at an election, contrary to Section 11(1)(a) of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance.
Magistrate Mr Symon Wong Yu-wing adjourned the case until December 12 for sentence, pending a background report. The defendant was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.
The court heard that the Home Affairs Department announced in February 2011 that the executive committee election of the 2011 Sheung Shui District RC would be held on March 15 to elect the chairman, two vice-chairmen and 14 executive members. On February 28, the defendant submitted his nomination for the election.
In mid February, the defendant visited a VR of the Sheung Shui District at his store, and asked the latter to support him at the election. But the VR did not give any positive reply.
The court heard that on February 27, the defendant paid another visit to the store. Having been informed by his wife, the VR returned to the store and met the defendant.
Inside a room of the store, the defendant asked the VR to support him at the election. But the VR replied that he would decide the matter later.
When the VR was leaving the room, the defendant said he had left something for the VR in the room. On being asked by the VR what that was, the defendant replied that it was $130,000.
The VR immediately asked the defendant to take the money back, but the defendant ignored him and left. The VR returned to the room, and found a wad of banknotes, totalling $130,000, which was placed on a table.
The $130,000 was subsequently handed over to the ICAC by the VR, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Edwin Choy, assisted by ICAC officer Vivian Lee.
Brian Kan Ping-chee, 73, a retired horse trainer, was found guilty of one count of engaging in corrupt conduct at an election, contrary to Section 11(1)(a) of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance.
Magistrate Mr Symon Wong Yu-wing adjourned the case until December 12 for sentence, pending a background report. The defendant was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.
The court heard that the Home Affairs Department announced in February 2011 that the executive committee election of the 2011 Sheung Shui District RC would be held on March 15 to elect the chairman, two vice-chairmen and 14 executive members. On February 28, the defendant submitted his nomination for the election.
In mid February, the defendant visited a VR of the Sheung Shui District at his store, and asked the latter to support him at the election. But the VR did not give any positive reply.
The court heard that on February 27, the defendant paid another visit to the store. Having been informed by his wife, the VR returned to the store and met the defendant.
Inside a room of the store, the defendant asked the VR to support him at the election. But the VR replied that he would decide the matter later.
When the VR was leaving the room, the defendant said he had left something for the VR in the room. On being asked by the VR what that was, the defendant replied that it was $130,000.
The VR immediately asked the defendant to take the money back, but the defendant ignored him and left. The VR returned to the room, and found a wad of banknotes, totalling $130,000, which was placed on a table.
The $130,000 was subsequently handed over to the ICAC by the VR, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Edwin Choy, assisted by ICAC officer Vivian Lee.