Ex-head chef in court over bribes-for-employment
2015-11-25
A former head chef of a restaurant appeared in the Kowloon City Magistracy today (Wednesday) after being charged by the ICAC with soliciting and accepting bribes from a cook for continuing his employment with the restaurant.
Tsang Kin-chung, 53, formerly employed by Hau Fook Hot Pot Seafood Restaurant (Hau Fook), who was charged on Monday (November 23), faced five charges – one of agent soliciting an advantage and four of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges today. Principal Magistrate Peter Law Tak-chuen adjourned the case to January 20, 2016 for a pre-trial review.
At the material time, the defendant was the head chef supervising the roast meat section of a branch of Hau Fook. His duties included distributing salaries to staff of the roast meat section.
One of the charges alleged that on July 25, 2014, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, solicited a monthly bribe of $1,000 from a cook of Hau Fook as a reward for continuation of his employment.
Four other charges alleged that on four occasions between July 27 and October 9, 2014, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, accepted a total of $2,900 from the cook for the same reason.
The defendant was granted cash bail of $500, and ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.
The management of Hau Fook had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Henry Cheung.
Tsang Kin-chung, 53, formerly employed by Hau Fook Hot Pot Seafood Restaurant (Hau Fook), who was charged on Monday (November 23), faced five charges – one of agent soliciting an advantage and four of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges today. Principal Magistrate Peter Law Tak-chuen adjourned the case to January 20, 2016 for a pre-trial review.
At the material time, the defendant was the head chef supervising the roast meat section of a branch of Hau Fook. His duties included distributing salaries to staff of the roast meat section.
One of the charges alleged that on July 25, 2014, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, solicited a monthly bribe of $1,000 from a cook of Hau Fook as a reward for continuation of his employment.
Four other charges alleged that on four occasions between July 27 and October 9, 2014, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, accepted a total of $2,900 from the cook for the same reason.
The defendant was granted cash bail of $500, and ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.
The management of Hau Fook had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Henry Cheung.