Teachers in court over bribery for purchase of musical instruments
2016-2-26
Two former and serving teachers of a music company appeared in the Tsuen Wan Magistracy today (Friday) after being charged by the ICAC with accepting a total sum of $9,300 in illegal rebates for referring students to buy musical instruments from a supplier.
Lai Kam-kit, 37, a former teacher of Tom Lee Music Foundation Limited (TLMF); and Tse On-kei, 30, a teacher of TLMF, who were charged on Wednesday (February 24), each faced one count of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges today. Acting Principal Magistrate Mr Cheang Kei-hong adjourned the case until March 29 this year for a pre-trial review.
At the material time, Lai was employed by TLMF as a teacher in harp and violin courses, while Tse was hired by TLMF as a teacher in violin courses.
Apart from teaching music courses, teachers of TLMF were required to work as consultants to promote, market and sell to their students musical instruments and related products of Tom Lee Music Co. Ltd, an affiliated company of TLMF.
Teachers were not allowed to promote or sell musical instruments to students of TLMF and their parents for other suppliers. Chairman Instruments Trading Limited (CITL) was a supplier of musical instruments in Hong Kong.
One of the charges alleged that on April 19, 2013, Lai, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, accepted $7,663 from CITL as a reward for having referred a then student of TLMF to buy a harp from CITL.
The charge against Tse alleged that on December 13, 2013, Tse, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, accepted $1,637 from CITL as a reward for having referred another student of TLMF to buy a violin from CITL.
Lai and Tse were each granted cash bail of $5,000, and ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.
TLMF had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Alex Ho.
Lai Kam-kit, 37, a former teacher of Tom Lee Music Foundation Limited (TLMF); and Tse On-kei, 30, a teacher of TLMF, who were charged on Wednesday (February 24), each faced one count of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges today. Acting Principal Magistrate Mr Cheang Kei-hong adjourned the case until March 29 this year for a pre-trial review.
At the material time, Lai was employed by TLMF as a teacher in harp and violin courses, while Tse was hired by TLMF as a teacher in violin courses.
Apart from teaching music courses, teachers of TLMF were required to work as consultants to promote, market and sell to their students musical instruments and related products of Tom Lee Music Co. Ltd, an affiliated company of TLMF.
Teachers were not allowed to promote or sell musical instruments to students of TLMF and their parents for other suppliers. Chairman Instruments Trading Limited (CITL) was a supplier of musical instruments in Hong Kong.
One of the charges alleged that on April 19, 2013, Lai, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, accepted $7,663 from CITL as a reward for having referred a then student of TLMF to buy a harp from CITL.
The charge against Tse alleged that on December 13, 2013, Tse, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, accepted $1,637 from CITL as a reward for having referred another student of TLMF to buy a violin from CITL.
Lai and Tse were each granted cash bail of $5,000, and ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.
TLMF had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Alex Ho.