Ex-Tai Po DC member and two others admit theft of funds
2016-3-14
A former member of the Tai Po District Council (DC) and two office bearers of a cultural dance association today (Monday) admitted at the Fanling Magistracy an ICAC charge of conspiracy to steal government funds.
Wong Chau-pak, 61, former member of the Tai Po DC; Yau Lai-kuen, 55, chairlady of China Federation of National Dance Association (CFNDA), and Samketer Yeung Sau-fong, 55, secretary of CFNDA, pleaded guilty to a joint charge of conspiracy to steal, contrary to Section 9 of the Theft Ordinance and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
Magistrate Mr Colin Wong Sze-cheung adjourned the case until March 29 this year for sentence, pending community service order reports. The defendants were granted cash bail of $2,000 each.
The magistrate warned that he might consider imposing custodial sentences on the defendants in view of their breaches of trust.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offence of conspiracy to steal.
The court heard that at the material time, Wong was a member of the Tai Po DC.
On January 23, 2013, the defendants and other persons met in a restaurant to discuss the establishment of CFNDA, a non-profit making association organising social activities and providing a platform for cultural dancing performances in the community. Yau and Yeung became the chairlady and secretary of CFNDA respectively.
Shortly after the establishment of CFNDA, the defendants and a dancing instructor had a discussion on organising a singing and dancing show in Fu Heng Community Centre on September 29, 2013.
Between July 23, 2013 and January 13, 2014, the defendants conspired together and with the dancing instructor to steal a sum of money, which represented the difference between the sum of $11,703 granted by the Tai Po DC to the CFNDA and the actual expenses paid or to be paid to the performers, volunteers and the master of ceremony of the show.
The court heard that the defendants were subsequently arrested by ICAC officers. When interviewed under caution, Wong admitted that he had taught Yau, Yeung and other persons to minimise the expenses of the show in order to save more money for the CFNDA for its future use.
Wong also admitted that the CFNDA should have reported the matter to the Tai Po DC since the actual expenses incurred by it were less than the amount of disbursement granted.
When interviewed under caution by ICAC officers, Yau admitted that she had submitted the claim form to the Tai Po DC Secretariat, while Yeung admitted that upon Yau’s instruction, she had submitted the report to the Tai Po DC Secretariat, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Steven Kwan, and assisted by ICAC officer Calvin Wong.
Wong Chau-pak, 61, former member of the Tai Po DC; Yau Lai-kuen, 55, chairlady of China Federation of National Dance Association (CFNDA), and Samketer Yeung Sau-fong, 55, secretary of CFNDA, pleaded guilty to a joint charge of conspiracy to steal, contrary to Section 9 of the Theft Ordinance and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
Magistrate Mr Colin Wong Sze-cheung adjourned the case until March 29 this year for sentence, pending community service order reports. The defendants were granted cash bail of $2,000 each.
The magistrate warned that he might consider imposing custodial sentences on the defendants in view of their breaches of trust.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offence of conspiracy to steal.
The court heard that at the material time, Wong was a member of the Tai Po DC.
On January 23, 2013, the defendants and other persons met in a restaurant to discuss the establishment of CFNDA, a non-profit making association organising social activities and providing a platform for cultural dancing performances in the community. Yau and Yeung became the chairlady and secretary of CFNDA respectively.
Shortly after the establishment of CFNDA, the defendants and a dancing instructor had a discussion on organising a singing and dancing show in Fu Heng Community Centre on September 29, 2013.
Between July 23, 2013 and January 13, 2014, the defendants conspired together and with the dancing instructor to steal a sum of money, which represented the difference between the sum of $11,703 granted by the Tai Po DC to the CFNDA and the actual expenses paid or to be paid to the performers, volunteers and the master of ceremony of the show.
The court heard that the defendants were subsequently arrested by ICAC officers. When interviewed under caution, Wong admitted that he had taught Yau, Yeung and other persons to minimise the expenses of the show in order to save more money for the CFNDA for its future use.
Wong also admitted that the CFNDA should have reported the matter to the Tai Po DC since the actual expenses incurred by it were less than the amount of disbursement granted.
When interviewed under caution by ICAC officers, Yau admitted that she had submitted the claim form to the Tai Po DC Secretariat, while Yeung admitted that upon Yau’s instruction, she had submitted the report to the Tai Po DC Secretariat, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Steven Kwan, and assisted by ICAC officer Calvin Wong.