Employment visa applicant jailed for bribing immigration officers
2014-2-11
An applicant, charged by the ICAC, was today (Tuesday) sentenced to one year’s imprisonment at the Eastern Magistracy after being convicted of offering $6,000 to immigration officers in relation to her application for an employment visa under the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP).
Li Li-jing, 34, a director-cum-shareholder of Hoi Lee Hong Kong International Limited (HLL), was today found guilty of one count of offering an advantage to public servants, contrary to Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr So Wai-tak stressed that corruption cases were very serious by nature. The court had to mete out deterrent sentences to offenders so as to curb similar cases from occurring in the public sector.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was applying for an employment visa under the ASMTP administered by the Immigration Department (ImmD). The application was processed by an Immigration Officer (IO).
According to the scheme, Hong Kong can admit Mainland talents and professionals possessing skills and knowledge not readily available or in shortage locally.
Upon review of the defendant’s application, the IO sent a letter to the defendant on September 27 last year requiring her to submit more supporting documents to the ImmD, including her employment contract and the financial report of her company.
On November 1 last year, the defendant called the IO to enquire about the progress of her application. During the conversation, she asked the IO when she should pay $6,000.
The IO replied that she was only required to pay a fee of $160 if the application was approved.
The court heard that on the following working day, the IO received a letter from the defendant asking for an urgent processing of her application. Enclosed in the letter was an HLL cheque for $6,000 signed by the defendant, with the payee’s name left blank. The ImmD immediately referred the matter to the ICAC.
On December 4 last year, the defendant met with the IO at the office of ImmD. During the meeting, the defendant stated that the cheque was to be given to the IO and other related officers to assist in expediting her application.
During the course of the ICAC investigation, the ImmD had rendered full assistance.
The prosecution was today represented by Public Prosecutor Kasmine Hui, assisted by ICAC officer Beta Leung.
Li Li-jing, 34, a director-cum-shareholder of Hoi Lee Hong Kong International Limited (HLL), was today found guilty of one count of offering an advantage to public servants, contrary to Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr So Wai-tak stressed that corruption cases were very serious by nature. The court had to mete out deterrent sentences to offenders so as to curb similar cases from occurring in the public sector.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was applying for an employment visa under the ASMTP administered by the Immigration Department (ImmD). The application was processed by an Immigration Officer (IO).
According to the scheme, Hong Kong can admit Mainland talents and professionals possessing skills and knowledge not readily available or in shortage locally.
Upon review of the defendant’s application, the IO sent a letter to the defendant on September 27 last year requiring her to submit more supporting documents to the ImmD, including her employment contract and the financial report of her company.
On November 1 last year, the defendant called the IO to enquire about the progress of her application. During the conversation, she asked the IO when she should pay $6,000.
The IO replied that she was only required to pay a fee of $160 if the application was approved.
The court heard that on the following working day, the IO received a letter from the defendant asking for an urgent processing of her application. Enclosed in the letter was an HLL cheque for $6,000 signed by the defendant, with the payee’s name left blank. The ImmD immediately referred the matter to the ICAC.
On December 4 last year, the defendant met with the IO at the office of ImmD. During the meeting, the defendant stated that the cheque was to be given to the IO and other related officers to assist in expediting her application.
During the course of the ICAC investigation, the ImmD had rendered full assistance.
The prosecution was today represented by Public Prosecutor Kasmine Hui, assisted by ICAC officer Beta Leung.