Duo in court for alleged gifts-for-preferential treatment scam
2014-10-9
The principal of a kindergarten and a parent of its pupil appeared in the Kowloon City Magistracy today (Thursday) after being charged by the ICAC with accepting and inciting teachers to accept gifts from the parent over preferential treatment to her son at the kindergarten, and offering those gifts to the principal and the teachers respectively.
Li Ling-sau, 44, principal of Victoria (Harbour Green) Kindergarten (VHG), who was charged on Tuesday (October 7), faced two counts of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(b) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO); and one of inci ting agents to accept an advantage, contrary to Common Law and Section 9(1)(b) of the POBO.
Also charged on Tuesday was Wong Wing, 39, mother of a pupil of VHG, who faced four counts of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(b) of the POBO.
Li and Wong today pleaded not guilty to their respective charges. Magistrate Mr Eric Cheung Kwan-ming adjourned the case to December 4 this year for a pre-trial review.
At the material time, Li was the principal of VHG –'96 one of the kindergartens operated by Victoria Education Organisation (VEO) in Tai Kok Tsui. Among pupils of VHG was the son of Wong.
One of the charges alleged that Wong offered a jacket to Li as a reward for arranging preferential treatment for the son of Wong at VHG.
Two other charges alleged Li of accepting the jacket and a scarf from Wong for the same purpose.
Three other charges alleged Wong of offering a purse to each of three then teachers of VHG as rewards for arranging preferential treatment for the son of Wong at VHG.
The remaining charge alleged that Li unlawfully incited the then teachers to accept those purses from Wong respectively for the same purpose.
The above alleged advantages, namely gifts including a jacket, a scarf and three purses, were said to amount to about $15,000.
The alleged bribery offences took place between December 2012 and May 2013.
Li and Wong were granted cash bail of $10,000 and $20,000 respectively.
VEO had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Lily Kam.
Li Ling-sau, 44, principal of Victoria (Harbour Green) Kindergarten (VHG), who was charged on Tuesday (October 7), faced two counts of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(b) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO); and one of inci ting agents to accept an advantage, contrary to Common Law and Section 9(1)(b) of the POBO.
Also charged on Tuesday was Wong Wing, 39, mother of a pupil of VHG, who faced four counts of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(b) of the POBO.
Li and Wong today pleaded not guilty to their respective charges. Magistrate Mr Eric Cheung Kwan-ming adjourned the case to December 4 this year for a pre-trial review.
At the material time, Li was the principal of VHG –'96 one of the kindergartens operated by Victoria Education Organisation (VEO) in Tai Kok Tsui. Among pupils of VHG was the son of Wong.
One of the charges alleged that Wong offered a jacket to Li as a reward for arranging preferential treatment for the son of Wong at VHG.
Two other charges alleged Li of accepting the jacket and a scarf from Wong for the same purpose.
Three other charges alleged Wong of offering a purse to each of three then teachers of VHG as rewards for arranging preferential treatment for the son of Wong at VHG.
The remaining charge alleged that Li unlawfully incited the then teachers to accept those purses from Wong respectively for the same purpose.
The above alleged advantages, namely gifts including a jacket, a scarf and three purses, were said to amount to about $15,000.
The alleged bribery offences took place between December 2012 and May 2013.
Li and Wong were granted cash bail of $10,000 and $20,000 respectively.
VEO had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Lily Kam.