Construction manager of Buddhist monastery charged by ICAC for awarding $0.5m maintenance works to wife by concealing conflict of interest
2025-12-30
A former construction manager of a Buddhist monastery was charged by the ICAC today (December 30) for allegedly awarding various maintenance works involving payments totalling over $500,000 to his wife’s company by concealing his conflict of interest.
Kao Yu-sing, 36, then assistant construction manager of Tung Lin Kok Yuen, faces three counts of fraud and one count of attempted fraud, contrary to section 16A(1) of the Theft Ordinance and section 159G of the Crimes Ordinance.
The defendant was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance for mention at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Friday (January 2, 2026). The prosecution will apply for transfer of the case to the District Court for plea.
Tung Lin Kok Yuen is a monastery of a Buddhist charitable organisation. The offences took place between August 2023 and February 2024. At the material time, the defendant was responsible for overseeing maintenance works of the monastery, including the engagement of contractors. According to the procurement policy of Tung Lin Kok Yuen, the defendant was required to obtain at least two or three quotations, depending on the price of works, and to confirm that he had no conflict of interest in the procurement.
The charges allege that the defendant, with intent to defraud, induced Tung Lin Kok Yuen to engage YNL for 21 maintenance projects by concealing his wife’s interest in Y.N. Professional Engineering Limited (YNL).
It is also alleged that the defendant had made false representations to staff members of Tung Lin Kok Yuen, who were the approving authorities of procurement, that 18 of the abovementioned maintenance works were conducted in accordance with the procurement policy of the monastery to induce or attempt to induce the staff members to approve the engagement of and payment to YNL for the maintenance works.
The ICAC investigation stemmed from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that the defendant’s wife was the sole director and shareholder of YNL, and the 21 maintenance works concerned involved payments in the total sum of over $500,000. The defendant had allegedly made false representations that the procurement exercises were conducted in accordance with the procurement policy of Tung Lin Kok Yuen by using false quotations, causing some of the maintenance works to be awarded to YNL.
The ICAC advises organisations, including charitable organisations, to formulate clear guidelines and systems of declaring conflict of interest. Staff members 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.
Tung Lin Kok Yuen rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
Kao Yu-sing, 36, then assistant construction manager of Tung Lin Kok Yuen, faces three counts of fraud and one count of attempted fraud, contrary to section 16A(1) of the Theft Ordinance and section 159G of the Crimes Ordinance.
The defendant was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance for mention at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Friday (January 2, 2026). The prosecution will apply for transfer of the case to the District Court for plea.
Tung Lin Kok Yuen is a monastery of a Buddhist charitable organisation. The offences took place between August 2023 and February 2024. At the material time, the defendant was responsible for overseeing maintenance works of the monastery, including the engagement of contractors. According to the procurement policy of Tung Lin Kok Yuen, the defendant was required to obtain at least two or three quotations, depending on the price of works, and to confirm that he had no conflict of interest in the procurement.
The charges allege that the defendant, with intent to defraud, induced Tung Lin Kok Yuen to engage YNL for 21 maintenance projects by concealing his wife’s interest in Y.N. Professional Engineering Limited (YNL).
It is also alleged that the defendant had made false representations to staff members of Tung Lin Kok Yuen, who were the approving authorities of procurement, that 18 of the abovementioned maintenance works were conducted in accordance with the procurement policy of the monastery to induce or attempt to induce the staff members to approve the engagement of and payment to YNL for the maintenance works.
The ICAC investigation stemmed from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that the defendant’s wife was the sole director and shareholder of YNL, and the 21 maintenance works concerned involved payments in the total sum of over $500,000. The defendant had allegedly made false representations that the procurement exercises were conducted in accordance with the procurement policy of Tung Lin Kok Yuen by using false quotations, causing some of the maintenance works to be awarded to YNL.
The ICAC advises organisations, including charitable organisations, to formulate clear guidelines and systems of declaring conflict of interest. Staff members 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.
Tung Lin Kok Yuen rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.