A former secretary of the incorporated owners (IO) of a public housing estate, charged by the ICAC, was today (Friday) convicted at the Eastern Magistracy of soliciting a bribe of $3,000 from a contractor in relation to the award of maintenance orders of the estate.

Kei Sik-hung, 66, was found guilty of one count of agent soliciting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.

In convicting the defendant, Magistrate So Wai-tak remarked that bribery was a serious offence, and that the court had to maintain a clean business environment.

The magistrate adjourned the case until November 29 this year for sentence, pending background and community service order reports. The defendant was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.

The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was a secretary of the IO of Fung Wah Estate (FWE), a public housing estate in Chai Wan under the Tenants Purchase Scheme of the Housing Department (HD).

Among the maintenance works contractors of FWE was Kong’s Water-pipe Company (Kong’s).

In early January 2012, the IO chairman of FWE told the defendant several times that Kong’s had earned lots of money from quite a number of maintenance orders awarded to it by FWE over the years, but he himself and members of the IO did not receive any salary.

The court heard that believing the IO chairman was asking him to solicit advantages from Kong’s, the defendant asked for a loan of $3,000 from the proprietor of Kong’s over the phone. The proprietor acceded to the request.

After receiving the money in late January 2012, the defendant gave $1,500 to the IO chairman, the court was told.

The HD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.

The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Newman Wong, assisted by ICAC officer Andy Yu.