Ex-school secretary gets 10 months for bribery and fraud
2015-3-3
A former secretary of a government-aided school, charged by the ICAC, was today (Tuesday) sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment at the Shatin Magistracy after admitting bribery and fraud in relation to floor waxing and maintenance contracts of the school.
Ho Pui-weng, 56, former secretary of Hong Kong Chinese Women’s Club Fung Yiu King Memorial Secondary School (FYKSS), today pleaded guilty to one count of agent soliciting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Ho also admitted two other charges – one of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to the Common Law; and one of fraud, contrary to Section 16A(1) of the Theft Ordinance. The prosecution offered no evidence to a similar fraud charge against him.
In sentencing, Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong said the offences committed by Ho constituted a breach of trust.
The court heard that at the material time, Ho was the secretary of FYKSS. Among his duties was to source quotations from various contractors for minor maintenance works.
On October 28, 2013, Ho requested the proprietor of a janitorial company, who was awarded a floor waxing contract in the sum of $67,000 with FYKSS, to pay $6,700 to Wing Hang Engineering Company (Wing Hang) for settling part of another renovation project on behalf of the school. Yip Wing-keung was the proprietor of Wing Hang.
But the principal of FYKSS confirmed that the school had never requested the janitorial company to assist in settling any renovation fee with other companies. She further confirmed that no staff member of FYKSS was allowed to solicit or accept any advantages from contractors when performing his duties.
Between June 1 and September 17, 2012, Ho and Yip conspired together to defraud FYKSS by dishonestly submitting a quotation of Wing Hang, together with bogus quotations of two engineering companies, to the principal in respect of the contract for maintenance of the security sentry of the school.
Based on Ho’s recommendation, the school awarded the contract to an engineering company which offered the lowest quotation price. But the maintenance work was actually performed by Wing Hang and the contract payment was eventually paid to it.
The court heard that on May 28, 2013, Ho submitted to the principal two bogus quotations, together with a quotation from Wing Hang, which were all attached to an application form in respect of the painting work and installation of collision guard rack. Ho falsely represented that the quotations were obtained by him.
Based on Ho’s recommendation, the school awarded the contract to Wing Hang as the latter offered the lowest quotation price.
The total amount of payments for the above two maintenance contracts was about $27,000, the court was told.
Yip, 56, who was also charged for his role in the case, today pleaded guilty to the joint charge of conspiracy to defraud with Ho. The magistrate adjourned his case until March 30 this year for sentence, pending a community service order report, and granted him cash bail of $10,000.
FYKSS had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Lam Shun-chiu, assisted by ICAC officer Jenny Chan.
Ho Pui-weng, 56, former secretary of Hong Kong Chinese Women’s Club Fung Yiu King Memorial Secondary School (FYKSS), today pleaded guilty to one count of agent soliciting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Ho also admitted two other charges – one of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to the Common Law; and one of fraud, contrary to Section 16A(1) of the Theft Ordinance. The prosecution offered no evidence to a similar fraud charge against him.
In sentencing, Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong said the offences committed by Ho constituted a breach of trust.
The court heard that at the material time, Ho was the secretary of FYKSS. Among his duties was to source quotations from various contractors for minor maintenance works.
On October 28, 2013, Ho requested the proprietor of a janitorial company, who was awarded a floor waxing contract in the sum of $67,000 with FYKSS, to pay $6,700 to Wing Hang Engineering Company (Wing Hang) for settling part of another renovation project on behalf of the school. Yip Wing-keung was the proprietor of Wing Hang.
But the principal of FYKSS confirmed that the school had never requested the janitorial company to assist in settling any renovation fee with other companies. She further confirmed that no staff member of FYKSS was allowed to solicit or accept any advantages from contractors when performing his duties.
Between June 1 and September 17, 2012, Ho and Yip conspired together to defraud FYKSS by dishonestly submitting a quotation of Wing Hang, together with bogus quotations of two engineering companies, to the principal in respect of the contract for maintenance of the security sentry of the school.
Based on Ho’s recommendation, the school awarded the contract to an engineering company which offered the lowest quotation price. But the maintenance work was actually performed by Wing Hang and the contract payment was eventually paid to it.
The court heard that on May 28, 2013, Ho submitted to the principal two bogus quotations, together with a quotation from Wing Hang, which were all attached to an application form in respect of the painting work and installation of collision guard rack. Ho falsely represented that the quotations were obtained by him.
Based on Ho’s recommendation, the school awarded the contract to Wing Hang as the latter offered the lowest quotation price.
The total amount of payments for the above two maintenance contracts was about $27,000, the court was told.
Yip, 56, who was also charged for his role in the case, today pleaded guilty to the joint charge of conspiracy to defraud with Ho. The magistrate adjourned his case until March 30 this year for sentence, pending a community service order report, and granted him cash bail of $10,000.
FYKSS had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Lam Shun-chiu, assisted by ICAC officer Jenny Chan.