A former executive of a local bank was today (Wednesday) charged by the ICAC for allegedly accepting a $200,000 bribe for assisting an engineering company to apply for a $55 million loan.

A Chief Estate Manager of Taikoo Shing (Management) Ltd. (TSML), suspected to have accepted about $300,000 from a contractor in relation to maintenance contracts and job orders for Taikoo Shing in Quarry Bay, was arrested by the ICAC.

A local employee of the Australian Consulate in Hong Kong was today (Tuesday) jailed for six months for accepting $20,000 to help a woman emigrate to Australia to join her family.

Two former employees of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and two women today (Monday) received jail sentences for conspiracy to defraud HKJC over video production fees and misappropriation of Club funds.

A sales manager and a businessman were jailed for 18 months and nine months respectively at District Court today (Monday) for defrauding $1 million by manipulating the sales of air-conditioning spare parts.

The ICAC arrested a total of eight persons including three Housing Department (HD) site supervising staff in connection with substandard piling works at two Home Ownership Scheme housing blocks in Shatin. The alleged pile shortening scam could have saved millions of dollars to the piling subcontractor.

In response to press enquiries, an ICAC spokesman confirmed that the ICAC had received corruption complaints recently referred by the Housing Department (HD) and a construction contractor. The complaints alleged that corruption might be involved with reg ard to sub-standard piling works at two HD residential blocks in Shatin.

A waiter of an entertainment complex at Tsim Sha Tsui was jailed for nine months at South Kowloon Court today (Wednesday) for capturing customers ' credit card data for a syndicate which manufactured and uttered false credit cards.

Two Immigration Officers, respectively charged by the ICAC with bribery offences and possessing unlawful travel documents, appeared in two separate cases in Eastern Court today (Monday).