LCSD subcontractor charged with $12m shelters fraud
2014-4-8
A subcontractor of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has been charged by the ICAC for allegedly using false invoices to deceive project payments totalling over $12 million from the LCSD in relation to the supply and installation of shelters at public parks and gardens.
Sebastian Pang Kin-chi, 53, a shareholder-cum-director of Spark Fair Limited (SFL), who was charged yesterday (Monday), faces 23 counts of using a false instrument, contrary to Section 73 of the Crimes Ordinance. He further faces 23 alternative charges o f attempted fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.
The defendant, currently on ICAC bail, will appear in the Eastern Magistracy at 9:30 am tomorrow (Wednesday) for transfer to the District Court for plea.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offences.
At the material time, the defendant was a shareholder-cum-director of SFL, which was subcontracted by two term contractors of the LCSD to supply and install shelters manufactured by a specified Japanese company at public parks and gardens managed by the LCSD.
The charges allege that between January 4, 2007 and July 15, 2011, the defendant used 78 false invoices purportedly issued on behalf of the two term contractors for the payments for the shelters manufactured by the Japanese company, with intention of inducing the LCSD to accept them as genuine.
The alternative charges allege that the defendant falsely represented to the LCSD that the shelters manufactured by the Japanese company were provided as required under related works orders, and with intent to defraud, attempted to induce the LCSD to part with a total of over $12 million, resulting in benefit to the two term contractors and/or SFL, and/or prejudice to the LCSD.
It was alleged that 129 shelters covered by the alleged false invoices were not manufactured by the Japanese company.
The LCSD has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
Sebastian Pang Kin-chi, 53, a shareholder-cum-director of Spark Fair Limited (SFL), who was charged yesterday (Monday), faces 23 counts of using a false instrument, contrary to Section 73 of the Crimes Ordinance. He further faces 23 alternative charges o f attempted fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.
The defendant, currently on ICAC bail, will appear in the Eastern Magistracy at 9:30 am tomorrow (Wednesday) for transfer to the District Court for plea.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offences.
At the material time, the defendant was a shareholder-cum-director of SFL, which was subcontracted by two term contractors of the LCSD to supply and install shelters manufactured by a specified Japanese company at public parks and gardens managed by the LCSD.
The charges allege that between January 4, 2007 and July 15, 2011, the defendant used 78 false invoices purportedly issued on behalf of the two term contractors for the payments for the shelters manufactured by the Japanese company, with intention of inducing the LCSD to accept them as genuine.
The alternative charges allege that the defendant falsely represented to the LCSD that the shelters manufactured by the Japanese company were provided as required under related works orders, and with intent to defraud, attempted to induce the LCSD to part with a total of over $12 million, resulting in benefit to the two term contractors and/or SFL, and/or prejudice to the LCSD.
It was alleged that 129 shelters covered by the alleged false invoices were not manufactured by the Japanese company.
The LCSD has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.