Ex-foreman admits bribery over employment of construction worker
2019-7-12
A former foreman of a construction company, charged by the ICAC, admitted at the West Kowloon Magistracy today (July 12) that he had conspired with others to accept illegal rebates totalling over $43,000 from a man for taking him on as a casual worker and allowing the latter to keep his job with the company.
Mok Yui-ki, 42, former foreman of Ming Tai Construction Engineering Company Limited (Ming Tai), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for agent to accept advantages, contrary to Section 9(1) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
Acting Principal Magistrate Ms Ada Yim Shun-yee adjourned the case until July 26 for sentence, pending background and community service order reports. The defendant was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was a foreman of Ming Tai, which was mainly engaged as a subcontractor for formwork erection.
In 2011, Ming Tai was awarded a formwork erection project at the construction site of the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link West Kowloon Terminus Station South. The defendant was responsible for recruiting workers for the project and overseeing their performance at the site.
Through the introduction of an ex-colleague, a man joined Ming Tai in September 2011, working as a casual worker at the construction site under the defendant’s supervision at a daily wage of $750.
The casual worker was told by the ex-colleague that he was required to give a rebate of $100 per working day to the defendant. The casual worker acceded to the request as he understood that he could not obtain the employment if he refused to do so.
On 36 occasions between September 2011 and April 2013, the casual worker paid cash rebates totalling $43,350 to the defendant for keeping his employment with Ming Tai.
Ming Tai had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Wesley Ho.
Mok Yui-ki, 42, former foreman of Ming Tai Construction Engineering Company Limited (Ming Tai), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for agent to accept advantages, contrary to Section 9(1) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
Acting Principal Magistrate Ms Ada Yim Shun-yee adjourned the case until July 26 for sentence, pending background and community service order reports. The defendant was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was a foreman of Ming Tai, which was mainly engaged as a subcontractor for formwork erection.
In 2011, Ming Tai was awarded a formwork erection project at the construction site of the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link West Kowloon Terminus Station South. The defendant was responsible for recruiting workers for the project and overseeing their performance at the site.
Through the introduction of an ex-colleague, a man joined Ming Tai in September 2011, working as a casual worker at the construction site under the defendant’s supervision at a daily wage of $750.
The casual worker was told by the ex-colleague that he was required to give a rebate of $100 per working day to the defendant. The casual worker acceded to the request as he understood that he could not obtain the employment if he refused to do so.
On 36 occasions between September 2011 and April 2013, the casual worker paid cash rebates totalling $43,350 to the defendant for keeping his employment with Ming Tai.
Ming Tai had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Wesley Ho.