Ambulancemen and CMPs charged for alleged medical expenses fraud
2014-1-22
Two Ambulancemen of the Fire Services Department (FSD) and two registered Chinese medicine practitioners (CMPs) have been charged by the ICAC today (Wednesday) with conspiracy to use false receipts to defraud the FSD and an insurance company of medical expenses totalling over $72,000.
The defendants are Lam Kwok-keung and Tam Chun-hing, both 54 and Ambulancemen of the FSD; and Lie Pok-ha, 72 and Ho Wing-kam, 65, both registered CMPs, facing a total of 30 charges of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to the Common Law.
The defendants will appear in the Kwun Tong Magistracy at 9:30 am on Friday (January 24) for plea.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the FSD. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged conspiracy offences.
At all material times, Lam and Tam were Ambulancemen posted to Lam Tin Ambulance Depot and Tai Chik Sha Ambulance Depot of the FSD respectively. Lie and Ho were both registered CMPs practising at a dispensary in Yau Tong.
Lam and Tam sustained injuries while they were on duty in November 2010 and March 2011 respectively. Subsequently, they were diagnosed to suffer from back sprain.
Government employees, including staff members of the FSD, who have sustained injuries-on-duty or suffered from occupational diseases, are eligible to claim reimbursements of medical expenses incurred for direct out-patient treatment by registered CMPs at a maximum daily rate of $200.
Nineteen of the charges allege that Lam conspired with Lie and a staff member of the dispensary to defraud the FSD and an insurance company by falsely representing that Lam had attended medical consultation with Lie; had purchased herbal medicine from the dispensary; and was entitled to claim for reimbursements of medical expenses.
As a result, the FSD and the insurance company were caused to pay Lam $41,000 and $3,640 respectively as reimbursements of medical expenses.
Four other charges allege Lam of having conspired with Ho and the staff member of the dispensary to defraud the FSD and the insurance company by using similar fraudulent means, causing the FSD and the insurance company to pay Lam $5,400 and $840 respectively as reimbursements of medical expenses.
The remaining seven charges allege Tam of having conspired with Lie and the staff member of the dispensary to defraud the FSD by using similar fraudulent means, causing the FSD to pay Lam $21,200 as reimbursements of medical expenses.
The above alleged conspiracy offences took place between January 2011 and December 2012.
The FSD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during the investigation.
The defendants are Lam Kwok-keung and Tam Chun-hing, both 54 and Ambulancemen of the FSD; and Lie Pok-ha, 72 and Ho Wing-kam, 65, both registered CMPs, facing a total of 30 charges of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to the Common Law.
The defendants will appear in the Kwun Tong Magistracy at 9:30 am on Friday (January 24) for plea.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the FSD. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged conspiracy offences.
At all material times, Lam and Tam were Ambulancemen posted to Lam Tin Ambulance Depot and Tai Chik Sha Ambulance Depot of the FSD respectively. Lie and Ho were both registered CMPs practising at a dispensary in Yau Tong.
Lam and Tam sustained injuries while they were on duty in November 2010 and March 2011 respectively. Subsequently, they were diagnosed to suffer from back sprain.
Government employees, including staff members of the FSD, who have sustained injuries-on-duty or suffered from occupational diseases, are eligible to claim reimbursements of medical expenses incurred for direct out-patient treatment by registered CMPs at a maximum daily rate of $200.
Nineteen of the charges allege that Lam conspired with Lie and a staff member of the dispensary to defraud the FSD and an insurance company by falsely representing that Lam had attended medical consultation with Lie; had purchased herbal medicine from the dispensary; and was entitled to claim for reimbursements of medical expenses.
As a result, the FSD and the insurance company were caused to pay Lam $41,000 and $3,640 respectively as reimbursements of medical expenses.
Four other charges allege Lam of having conspired with Ho and the staff member of the dispensary to defraud the FSD and the insurance company by using similar fraudulent means, causing the FSD and the insurance company to pay Lam $5,400 and $840 respectively as reimbursements of medical expenses.
The remaining seven charges allege Tam of having conspired with Lie and the staff member of the dispensary to defraud the FSD by using similar fraudulent means, causing the FSD to pay Lam $21,200 as reimbursements of medical expenses.
The above alleged conspiracy offences took place between January 2011 and December 2012.
The FSD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during the investigation.