Teacher admits accepting illegal rebates over purchase of violins
2016-7-26
A teacher of a music company, charged by the ICAC, today (Tuesday) admitted at the Tsuen Wan Magistracy that she had accepted over $7,100 in illegal rebates for referring its students to buy violins from a supplier of musical instruments.
Betty Ho Shuk-man, 57, a musical instrument instructor of Greenery Arts Limited (GA), pleaded guilty to two counts of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Deputy Magistrate Mr Jim Chun-ki adjourned the case to August 16 this year for sentence, pending a community service order report. The defendant was granted cash bail of $5,000.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was employed by GA to teach violin and music theory courses.
Apart from teaching music courses, the defendant was also required to sell musical instruments and related products to its students. However, she was not allowed to promote or sell musical instruments or related products of other suppliers to students.
Chairman Instruments Trading Limited (CITL) was a supplier of musical instruments in Hong Kong.
The court heard that in late 2013, the defendant told a mother of two sons, who were then students of GA, that her elder son needed a bigger violin. She introduced CITL to the mother, and said it provided better violins.
Acting on the advice of the defendant, the mother visited the office of CITL on November 2, 2013, and bought a violin with accessories at over $5,400. The defendant had never told the mother that she would receive a rebate out of her purchase.
On December 20, 2013, the defendant received over $1,400 from CITL by cheque deposited in her bank account as a reward for referring the mother to CITL to purchase the violin with accessories.
The court heard that in March 2014, another mother intended to buy a bigger violin for her daughter, who was a then student of GA. The defendant told the mother that GA had a very limited choice of violins and introduced CITL to her.
Acting on the advice of the defendant, the mother visited the office of CITL on March 10, 2014, and bought a violin with accessories at about $11,900. The defendant had never told the mother that she would receive a rebate out of her purchase.
On April 14, 2014, the defendant received about $5,700 from CITL by cheque deposited in her bank account as a reward for referring the mother to CITL to purchase the violin with accessories, the court was told.
GA had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Priscilia Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Alex Ho.
Betty Ho Shuk-man, 57, a musical instrument instructor of Greenery Arts Limited (GA), pleaded guilty to two counts of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Deputy Magistrate Mr Jim Chun-ki adjourned the case to August 16 this year for sentence, pending a community service order report. The defendant was granted cash bail of $5,000.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was employed by GA to teach violin and music theory courses.
Apart from teaching music courses, the defendant was also required to sell musical instruments and related products to its students. However, she was not allowed to promote or sell musical instruments or related products of other suppliers to students.
Chairman Instruments Trading Limited (CITL) was a supplier of musical instruments in Hong Kong.
The court heard that in late 2013, the defendant told a mother of two sons, who were then students of GA, that her elder son needed a bigger violin. She introduced CITL to the mother, and said it provided better violins.
Acting on the advice of the defendant, the mother visited the office of CITL on November 2, 2013, and bought a violin with accessories at over $5,400. The defendant had never told the mother that she would receive a rebate out of her purchase.
On December 20, 2013, the defendant received over $1,400 from CITL by cheque deposited in her bank account as a reward for referring the mother to CITL to purchase the violin with accessories.
The court heard that in March 2014, another mother intended to buy a bigger violin for her daughter, who was a then student of GA. The defendant told the mother that GA had a very limited choice of violins and introduced CITL to her.
Acting on the advice of the defendant, the mother visited the office of CITL on March 10, 2014, and bought a violin with accessories at about $11,900. The defendant had never told the mother that she would receive a rebate out of her purchase.
On April 14, 2014, the defendant received about $5,700 from CITL by cheque deposited in her bank account as a reward for referring the mother to CITL to purchase the violin with accessories, the court was told.
GA had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Priscilia Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Alex Ho.