Duo in court for alleged bribery over client referrals
2013-5-6
A property agent of a property agency and a shareholder of another property agency appeared at the Kowloon City Magistracy today (Monday) after being charged by the ICAC with accepting and offering over $323,000 in bribes over referral of clients.
Lam Ho-tan, 35, a property agent of Midland Realty (Midland), who was charged last Friday (May 3), faced two counts of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO).
Also charged on Friday was Ryo Ng Ka-tat, 34, a beneficial shareholder of Delightful Property Agency Limited (Delightful), who faced two counts of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(a) of the POBO.
Lam and Ng today pleaded not guilty to their respective charges. Principal Magistrate Mr Clement Lee Hing-nin adjourned the case to June 10 this year for a pre-trial review.
At the material time, Lam was a property agent of Midland, while Ng was one of the shareholders of Delightful. Midland did not allow Lam to accept any advantages in relation to its business or refer its clients to other property agencies.
One of the charges alleged that on November 16, 2010, Lam accepted around $45,260 from Ng as a reward for procuring the purchase of a property by a client of Midland through Delightful.
Another charge alleged that on December 3, 2010, Lam accepted around $278,500 from Ng as a reward for procuring the purchase of a property by another client of Midland through Delightful.
The remaining two charges alleged Ng of offering the said bribes to Lam for the same purpose.
Lam and Ng were granted cash bail of $5,000 and $1,500 respectively. They were also ordered not to interfere with the prosecution witnesses.
Midland had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer David Ng.
Lam Ho-tan, 35, a property agent of Midland Realty (Midland), who was charged last Friday (May 3), faced two counts of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO).
Also charged on Friday was Ryo Ng Ka-tat, 34, a beneficial shareholder of Delightful Property Agency Limited (Delightful), who faced two counts of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(a) of the POBO.
Lam and Ng today pleaded not guilty to their respective charges. Principal Magistrate Mr Clement Lee Hing-nin adjourned the case to June 10 this year for a pre-trial review.
At the material time, Lam was a property agent of Midland, while Ng was one of the shareholders of Delightful. Midland did not allow Lam to accept any advantages in relation to its business or refer its clients to other property agencies.
One of the charges alleged that on November 16, 2010, Lam accepted around $45,260 from Ng as a reward for procuring the purchase of a property by a client of Midland through Delightful.
Another charge alleged that on December 3, 2010, Lam accepted around $278,500 from Ng as a reward for procuring the purchase of a property by another client of Midland through Delightful.
The remaining two charges alleged Ng of offering the said bribes to Lam for the same purpose.
Lam and Ng were granted cash bail of $5,000 and $1,500 respectively. They were also ordered not to interfere with the prosecution witnesses.
Midland had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer David Ng.