Senior executive of contractor of COVID-19 Community Testing Centres charged by ICAC for concealing conflict of interest in $120m contract
2025-11-6
A then senior executive of a contractor of COVID-19 Community Testing Centres (CTCs) was charged by the ICAC yesterday (November 5) for allegedly concealing his conflict of interest when contracting out the daily operation of CTCs to a company controlled by him and others, resulting in service payments totalling $120 million.
Wong Lei-po, 56, former laboratory director of the Hong Kong Molecular Pathology Diagnostic Centre Limited (HKM), faces one count of fraud, contrary to section 16A (1) of the Theft Ordinance. He was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (November 7) for mention.
Amid the pandemic, HKM was one of the designated service providers engaged by the government to operate CTCs, comprising the daily operation and laboratory testing. HKM contracted out CTCs’ daily operation, including registration and crowd control, to Health Conscience Limited (HCL).
At the material time, the defendant was the laboratory director of HKM overseeing its operation, including the selection of subcontractors. HKM required its staff members to avoid any conflict of interest situation and to declare any actual or potential conflict of interest in writing. The defendant had never declared to HKM his interest in HCL.
It is alleged that between January and December 2022, the defendant had concealed from or failed to disclose to HKM his interest in HCL, and with intent to defraud, induced HKM to award the service agreement for daily operation of CTCs to HCL.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that HCL was set up and controlled by the defendant and others. HKM made service payments totalling $120 million to HCL for the service provided by HCL at the material time.
HKM rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The ICAC advises business organisations to formulate clear guidelines and systems of declaring conflict of interest. Staff members of business organisations are reminded to avoid conflict of interest situations and to make timely declaration to their employers. Concealing any conflict of interest in relation to one’s official duties to benefit himself or his associates may constitute a breach of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance or other criminal law.
Wong Lei-po, 56, former laboratory director of the Hong Kong Molecular Pathology Diagnostic Centre Limited (HKM), faces one count of fraud, contrary to section 16A (1) of the Theft Ordinance. He was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (November 7) for mention.
Amid the pandemic, HKM was one of the designated service providers engaged by the government to operate CTCs, comprising the daily operation and laboratory testing. HKM contracted out CTCs’ daily operation, including registration and crowd control, to Health Conscience Limited (HCL).
At the material time, the defendant was the laboratory director of HKM overseeing its operation, including the selection of subcontractors. HKM required its staff members to avoid any conflict of interest situation and to declare any actual or potential conflict of interest in writing. The defendant had never declared to HKM his interest in HCL.
It is alleged that between January and December 2022, the defendant had concealed from or failed to disclose to HKM his interest in HCL, and with intent to defraud, induced HKM to award the service agreement for daily operation of CTCs to HCL.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that HCL was set up and controlled by the defendant and others. HKM made service payments totalling $120 million to HCL for the service provided by HCL at the material time.
HKM rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The ICAC advises business organisations to formulate clear guidelines and systems of declaring conflict of interest. Staff members of business organisations are reminded to avoid conflict of interest situations and to make timely declaration to their employers. Concealing any conflict of interest in relation to one’s official duties to benefit himself or his associates may constitute a breach of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance or other criminal law.