IO chairman charged by ICAC admits forgery over Anti-epidemic Fund allowance
2022-5-10
The chairman of the incorporated owners (IO) of a building, charged by the ICAC, today (May 10) admitted at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts that he had committed forgery and used copies of false instruments in relation to the applications for allowance for a security guard under the Anti-epidemic Fund.
Tsui Chiu-cheung, 62, chairman of the IO of Comfort Court, pleaded guilty to two charges – one of forgery, contrary to Section 71 of the Crimes Ordinance; and one of using copies of false instruments, contrary to Section 74 of the Crimes Ordinance. The prosecution withdrew another forgery charge against him.
Acting Principal Magistrate Ms Peony Wong Nga-yan adjourned the case to May 24 for sentence, pending the defendant’s community service order report. The defendant was granted cash bail.
The court heard that in February 2020, the government launched the Anti-epidemic Support Scheme for Property Management Sector under the Anti-epidemic Fund to provide a monthly hardship allowance of $1,000 to security guards and cleaners working at eligible buildings, and a subsidy of $2,000 to every eligible building for procuring cleaning products.
The Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) was responsible for processing applications made by owners’ organisations, including IOs, and property management companies, and arranging release of payments. After receiving payments, the applicant would distribute the allowance to the relevant security guards and cleaners who were required to acknowledge receipt of it.
At the material time, the defendant was the chairman of the IO of Comfort Court. A security guard was employed by the IO.
Between April and August 2020, the defendant submitted two applications to the PMSA for claiming allowance totalling $7,000 for the above security guard. Both applications were approved and the sum was deposited to the bank account of the IO.
On November 19, 2020, the defendant submitted to the PMSA two receipts and copies of two other receipts purportedly signed by the security guard showing that the latter had acknowledged her receipt of the allowance of $7,000. However, ICAC inquiries revealed that the security guard had only received $3,000 and had never signed the above receipts.
The defendant forged the signatures of the security guard on the receipts. He worried that the PMSA would request the IO to return the allowance of $7,000 if it was found that $4,000 out of the sum had not been paid to the security guard.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. The PMSA and the IO of Comfort Court had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Jeff Ng.
Tsui Chiu-cheung, 62, chairman of the IO of Comfort Court, pleaded guilty to two charges – one of forgery, contrary to Section 71 of the Crimes Ordinance; and one of using copies of false instruments, contrary to Section 74 of the Crimes Ordinance. The prosecution withdrew another forgery charge against him.
Acting Principal Magistrate Ms Peony Wong Nga-yan adjourned the case to May 24 for sentence, pending the defendant’s community service order report. The defendant was granted cash bail.
The court heard that in February 2020, the government launched the Anti-epidemic Support Scheme for Property Management Sector under the Anti-epidemic Fund to provide a monthly hardship allowance of $1,000 to security guards and cleaners working at eligible buildings, and a subsidy of $2,000 to every eligible building for procuring cleaning products.
The Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) was responsible for processing applications made by owners’ organisations, including IOs, and property management companies, and arranging release of payments. After receiving payments, the applicant would distribute the allowance to the relevant security guards and cleaners who were required to acknowledge receipt of it.
At the material time, the defendant was the chairman of the IO of Comfort Court. A security guard was employed by the IO.
Between April and August 2020, the defendant submitted two applications to the PMSA for claiming allowance totalling $7,000 for the above security guard. Both applications were approved and the sum was deposited to the bank account of the IO.
On November 19, 2020, the defendant submitted to the PMSA two receipts and copies of two other receipts purportedly signed by the security guard showing that the latter had acknowledged her receipt of the allowance of $7,000. However, ICAC inquiries revealed that the security guard had only received $3,000 and had never signed the above receipts.
The defendant forged the signatures of the security guard on the receipts. He worried that the PMSA would request the IO to return the allowance of $7,000 if it was found that $4,000 out of the sum had not been paid to the security guard.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. The PMSA and the IO of Comfort Court had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Jeff Ng.