FEHD Foreman charged by ICAC admits accepting unauthorised loan from subordinate
2024-7-25
A Foreman of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), charged by the ICAC, today (July 25) admitted at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts that he had accepted an unauthorised loan of $60,000 from a subordinate in breach of the anti-bribery law.
Lai Tak-sum, 56, Foreman of the FEHD, pleaded guilty to one count of prescribed officer accepting an advantage, contrary to section 3 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO). Principal Magistrate Mr Don So Man-lung remanded the defendant in the custody of the Correctional Services Department. The case was adjourned to August 15, 2024 for sentence, pending the defendant’s background report.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was a Foreman of the FEHD posted to the Cleansing and Pest Control Section (Central/Western). Amongst his subordinates was a Workman II of the FEHD.
The defendant admitted that on September 27, 2023, he solicited and accepted a loan of $60,000 from the Workman II of the FEHD without the general or special permission of the Chief Executive.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that the defendant had borrowed money from the said Workman II of FEHD but never sought any permission pursuant to the “Acceptance of Advantages (Chief Executive Permission) Notice”.
The FEHD rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Fiona Chan.
The ICAC reminds civil servants to uphold integrity at all times. Civil servants should strictly adhere to the POBO as well as the provisions in the “Acceptance of Advantages (Chief Executive Permission) Notice” relating to the acceptance of advantages offered to them in their private capacity. They should also observe the departmental guidelines on money lending and borrowing amongst colleagues.
Lai Tak-sum, 56, Foreman of the FEHD, pleaded guilty to one count of prescribed officer accepting an advantage, contrary to section 3 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO). Principal Magistrate Mr Don So Man-lung remanded the defendant in the custody of the Correctional Services Department. The case was adjourned to August 15, 2024 for sentence, pending the defendant’s background report.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was a Foreman of the FEHD posted to the Cleansing and Pest Control Section (Central/Western). Amongst his subordinates was a Workman II of the FEHD.
The defendant admitted that on September 27, 2023, he solicited and accepted a loan of $60,000 from the Workman II of the FEHD without the general or special permission of the Chief Executive.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that the defendant had borrowed money from the said Workman II of FEHD but never sought any permission pursuant to the “Acceptance of Advantages (Chief Executive Permission) Notice”.
The FEHD rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Fiona Chan.
The ICAC reminds civil servants to uphold integrity at all times. Civil servants should strictly adhere to the POBO as well as the provisions in the “Acceptance of Advantages (Chief Executive Permission) Notice” relating to the acceptance of advantages offered to them in their private capacity. They should also observe the departmental guidelines on money lending and borrowing amongst colleagues.