Garage proprietors charged by ICAC with offering bribes to secure business
2022-4-27
Two proprietors of a garage were charged by the ICAC yesterday (April 26) for allegedly offering bribes to a former staff member of an investment company for securing vehicle maintenance orders from the latter.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Upon completion of the investigation, the ICAC sought legal advice from the Department of Justice, which advised charging the garage proprietors.
Yip Pui-yam, 63, and Yip Yun-tim, 71, respectively proprietor and former proprietor of United Motors Company (United Motors), jointly face one count of conspiracy to offer advantages to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
The duo were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance in the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (April 28) for plea.
At the material time, Yip Pui-yam was the sole proprietor of United Motors. Its former proprietor, Yip Yun-tim, also assisted in operating the garage. On the recommendation of a staff member of Asia Financial Holdings Limited (Asia Financial Holdings), the company awarded a number of vehicle maintenance orders to United Motors.
The charge alleges that between January 2018 and October 2020, the two defendants conspired together and with the above staff member to, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, offer bribes totalling at least $12,000 to the staff member, as an inducement to or reward for the staff member to cause Asia Financial Holdings to award vehicle maintenance orders to United Motors.
It is alleged that during the period, United Motors was awarded about 40 vehicle maintenance jobs for Asia Financial Holdings and received maintenance fees totalling about $360,000 for services provided.
Asia Financial Holdings has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Upon completion of the investigation, the ICAC sought legal advice from the Department of Justice, which advised charging the garage proprietors.
Yip Pui-yam, 63, and Yip Yun-tim, 71, respectively proprietor and former proprietor of United Motors Company (United Motors), jointly face one count of conspiracy to offer advantages to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
The duo were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance in the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (April 28) for plea.
At the material time, Yip Pui-yam was the sole proprietor of United Motors. Its former proprietor, Yip Yun-tim, also assisted in operating the garage. On the recommendation of a staff member of Asia Financial Holdings Limited (Asia Financial Holdings), the company awarded a number of vehicle maintenance orders to United Motors.
The charge alleges that between January 2018 and October 2020, the two defendants conspired together and with the above staff member to, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, offer bribes totalling at least $12,000 to the staff member, as an inducement to or reward for the staff member to cause Asia Financial Holdings to award vehicle maintenance orders to United Motors.
It is alleged that during the period, United Motors was awarded about 40 vehicle maintenance jobs for Asia Financial Holdings and received maintenance fees totalling about $360,000 for services provided.
Asia Financial Holdings has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.