Ex-logistics company manager jailed for bribery over service outsourcing
2020-7-22
A former manager of a logistics company, charged by the ICAC, was today (July 22) sentenced to seven weeks’ imprisonment at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts after admitting that he had accepted illegal rebates totalling $7,000 for outsourcing goods labelling work.
Benny Cho Kim-wai, 47, former warehouse manager of Sage Dynasty Limited (Sage Dynasty), pleaded guilty to two counts of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
The defendant was also ordered by Deputy Magistrate Ms Rachel Po Hi-hau to pay $7,000, which was equivalent to the bribes involved, as restitution to Sage Dynasty.
In sentencing, the deputy magistrate said the case involved exploitation of contract workers and the bribery offences concerned were serious in nature.
The deputy magistrate added that meting out an immediate custodial sentence was necessary to convey a proper signal to the public.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was the warehouse manager of Sage Dynasty, a logistics company which offered goods delivery, warehousing and storage services. He was responsible for supervising the operation of a warehouse in Yuen Long for goods storage, packaging and labelling.
In early October 2017, Sage Dynasty decided to outsource its goods labelling work to two sisters, who were part-time warehouse keepers under the defendant’s supervision. The defendant was entrusted to negotiate the service fees with the duo.
During the negotiation, the defendant offered to pay the duo $0.8 per label and solicited a rebate of $0.1 per label from them. He claimed that the rebate would be passed to the management of Sage Dynasty. The younger sister agreed to the proposed arrangement.
The court heard that between mid-October and mid-December 2017, two labelling jobs worth totalling over $94,000 were outsourced to the two sisters. Upon his solicitation, the defendant had accepted illegal rebates totalling $7,000 from the younger sister.
The duo subsequently complained to the management of Sage Dynasty about the solicitation. The company confirmed that it had never asked the defendant to solicit any payment from the duo.
Sage Dynasty had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Anthea Kwok, assisted by ICAC officer Kelvin Cheung.
Benny Cho Kim-wai, 47, former warehouse manager of Sage Dynasty Limited (Sage Dynasty), pleaded guilty to two counts of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
The defendant was also ordered by Deputy Magistrate Ms Rachel Po Hi-hau to pay $7,000, which was equivalent to the bribes involved, as restitution to Sage Dynasty.
In sentencing, the deputy magistrate said the case involved exploitation of contract workers and the bribery offences concerned were serious in nature.
The deputy magistrate added that meting out an immediate custodial sentence was necessary to convey a proper signal to the public.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was the warehouse manager of Sage Dynasty, a logistics company which offered goods delivery, warehousing and storage services. He was responsible for supervising the operation of a warehouse in Yuen Long for goods storage, packaging and labelling.
In early October 2017, Sage Dynasty decided to outsource its goods labelling work to two sisters, who were part-time warehouse keepers under the defendant’s supervision. The defendant was entrusted to negotiate the service fees with the duo.
During the negotiation, the defendant offered to pay the duo $0.8 per label and solicited a rebate of $0.1 per label from them. He claimed that the rebate would be passed to the management of Sage Dynasty. The younger sister agreed to the proposed arrangement.
The court heard that between mid-October and mid-December 2017, two labelling jobs worth totalling over $94,000 were outsourced to the two sisters. Upon his solicitation, the defendant had accepted illegal rebates totalling $7,000 from the younger sister.
The duo subsequently complained to the management of Sage Dynasty about the solicitation. The company confirmed that it had never asked the defendant to solicit any payment from the duo.
Sage Dynasty had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Anthea Kwok, assisted by ICAC officer Kelvin Cheung.