Parallel goods trader in court for bribery over sale of tablet computers
2012-9-10
A parallel goods trader appeared in Kowloon City Magistracy today (Monday) after being charged by the ICAC for allegedly offering illegal commissions to employees of an electrical appliances retail chain in relation to the sale of tablet computers.
Lau Yuen-mau, 28, who was charged last Thursday (September 6), today pleaded not guilty to two counts offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Acting Principal Magistrate Mr Peter Law Tak-chuen adjourned the case to October 31 this year for trial.
At the material times, iPad2 was launched for sale in Hong Kong, and attracted a great demand from members of the public.
Fortress, an electrical appliances retail chain, required its employees to follow the guidelines in selling iPad2s. Under the guidelines, employees of Fortress were prohibited from reserving iPad2s for customers, and from soliciting and accepting advanta ges in relation to its business affairs.
One of the charges alleged that on a day in May 2011, the defendant offered to pay a commission to a senior sales advisor of Fortress’ Whampoa Garden Shop as a reward for assisting him in purchasing sets of iPad2 from the shop. The illegal commission allegedly offered by the defendant ranged from $100 to $150 per set of iPad2.
The remaining charge alleged that on May 17, 2011, the defendant offered to pay an unspecified sum of commission to a supervisor of Fortress’ New Town Plaza Shop for the same purpose.
The defendant was granted cash bail of $10,000, and ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Fortress had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during the investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Edward Cheng.
Lau Yuen-mau, 28, who was charged last Thursday (September 6), today pleaded not guilty to two counts offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Acting Principal Magistrate Mr Peter Law Tak-chuen adjourned the case to October 31 this year for trial.
At the material times, iPad2 was launched for sale in Hong Kong, and attracted a great demand from members of the public.
Fortress, an electrical appliances retail chain, required its employees to follow the guidelines in selling iPad2s. Under the guidelines, employees of Fortress were prohibited from reserving iPad2s for customers, and from soliciting and accepting advanta ges in relation to its business affairs.
One of the charges alleged that on a day in May 2011, the defendant offered to pay a commission to a senior sales advisor of Fortress’ Whampoa Garden Shop as a reward for assisting him in purchasing sets of iPad2 from the shop. The illegal commission allegedly offered by the defendant ranged from $100 to $150 per set of iPad2.
The remaining charge alleged that on May 17, 2011, the defendant offered to pay an unspecified sum of commission to a supervisor of Fortress’ New Town Plaza Shop for the same purpose.
The defendant was granted cash bail of $10,000, and ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Fortress had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during the investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Edward Cheng.