Ex-negotiator of estate agency in court for alleged bribery in overseas property transactions
2018-6-1
A former negotiator of an estate agency appeared in the Eastern Magistracy today (June 1) after being charged by the ICAC with accepting illegal commissions totalling over $22,500 in relation to overseas property transactions.
Yan Cheuk-lun, 27, former negotiator of Hong Kong Homes Limited (HKH), who was charged on Wednesday (May 30), faced three charges of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
No plea was taken today. Magistrate Ms Veronica Heung Shuk-han adjourned the case to July 13 for plea.
At the material time, the defendant was employed by HKH, a licensed estate agency in Hong Kong, as a negotiator under its International Property Division (IPD). Led by a then senior project manageress, the IPD engaged in procuring overseas property transactions. The defendant was supervised by a then senior manageress.
In January 2015, HKH was appointed by two developers to promote the sale of properties at residential developments in Manchester and Liverpool of the United Kingdom respectively. HKH would release commissions to its negotiators, but did not allow them to receive extra commissions from the developers.
Two of the charges alleged that between July 1 and August 31, 2015, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, accepted two commissions of about $3,000 and about $5,000 respectively from the then senior manageress of HKH as a reward for procuring the sale and purchase transaction of a unit of the residential development in Manchester.
The remaining charge alleged that on June 25, 2015, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, accepted a commission of $14,555 from the then senior project manageress of HKH as a reward for procuring the sale and purchase transactions of two units of the residential development in Liverpool.
The defendant was granted cash bail of $10,000. He was ordered to reside at the reported address, report to the Police twice a week and not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.
HKH had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Cindy Ho.
Yan Cheuk-lun, 27, former negotiator of Hong Kong Homes Limited (HKH), who was charged on Wednesday (May 30), faced three charges of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
No plea was taken today. Magistrate Ms Veronica Heung Shuk-han adjourned the case to July 13 for plea.
At the material time, the defendant was employed by HKH, a licensed estate agency in Hong Kong, as a negotiator under its International Property Division (IPD). Led by a then senior project manageress, the IPD engaged in procuring overseas property transactions. The defendant was supervised by a then senior manageress.
In January 2015, HKH was appointed by two developers to promote the sale of properties at residential developments in Manchester and Liverpool of the United Kingdom respectively. HKH would release commissions to its negotiators, but did not allow them to receive extra commissions from the developers.
Two of the charges alleged that between July 1 and August 31, 2015, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, accepted two commissions of about $3,000 and about $5,000 respectively from the then senior manageress of HKH as a reward for procuring the sale and purchase transaction of a unit of the residential development in Manchester.
The remaining charge alleged that on June 25, 2015, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, accepted a commission of $14,555 from the then senior project manageress of HKH as a reward for procuring the sale and purchase transactions of two units of the residential development in Liverpool.
The defendant was granted cash bail of $10,000. He was ordered to reside at the reported address, report to the Police twice a week and not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.
HKH had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Cindy Ho.