Ex-administration officer of secondary school charged with fraud and theft
2018-9-27
A former administration officer of a secondary school has been charged by the ICAC with fraudulently inducing the school to order over $300,000 worth of food, curtains, desks and chairs, using a false invoice to claim $9,700 for supply of plants and stealing over $318,000 from the school.
Lau Chai-wah, 53, former administration officer of CMA Secondary School (CMASS), who was charged yesterday (September 26), faces 17 charges –three of fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance; one of using a false instrument, contrary to Section 73 of the Crimes Ordinance; and 13 of theft, contrary to Section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.
The defendant will appear in the West Kowloon Magistracy tomorrow (September 28) for transfer to the District Court for plea.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offences.
At the material time, the defendant was the administration officer and the person-in-charge of the General Office of CMASS. She was tasked to supervise and manage the accounting and administrative matters of the school.
As an employee of CMASS, the defendant was under a duty to declare any actual or perceived conflict of interest between CMASS and her personal friends.
Three of the charges allege that between April 21 and May 30, 2016, the defendant failed to disclose to CMASS that two companies were operated by her personal friends, and with intent to defraud, induced CMASS to order food and source curtains, desks and chairs from them respectively, which resulted in benefit to them or prejudice to CMASS.
ICAC enquires revealed that the three purchase orders for food, curtains, desks and chairs were said to be worth over $300,000.
Another charge alleges that on or about June 6, 2016, the defendant used a false instrument, namely an invoice purportedly issued by another company, with the intention of inducing CMASS to accept it as genuine.
The defendant allegedly used the false invoice to claim $9,700 from the school for supply of plants.
Thirteen remaining charges allege that between September 1, 2015 and March 30, 2016, the defendant stole a total sum of over $318,000, being payments received by the school from its students, on 13 occasions.
CMASS has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending her court appearance tomorrow.
Lau Chai-wah, 53, former administration officer of CMA Secondary School (CMASS), who was charged yesterday (September 26), faces 17 charges –three of fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance; one of using a false instrument, contrary to Section 73 of the Crimes Ordinance; and 13 of theft, contrary to Section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.
The defendant will appear in the West Kowloon Magistracy tomorrow (September 28) for transfer to the District Court for plea.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offences.
At the material time, the defendant was the administration officer and the person-in-charge of the General Office of CMASS. She was tasked to supervise and manage the accounting and administrative matters of the school.
As an employee of CMASS, the defendant was under a duty to declare any actual or perceived conflict of interest between CMASS and her personal friends.
Three of the charges allege that between April 21 and May 30, 2016, the defendant failed to disclose to CMASS that two companies were operated by her personal friends, and with intent to defraud, induced CMASS to order food and source curtains, desks and chairs from them respectively, which resulted in benefit to them or prejudice to CMASS.
ICAC enquires revealed that the three purchase orders for food, curtains, desks and chairs were said to be worth over $300,000.
Another charge alleges that on or about June 6, 2016, the defendant used a false instrument, namely an invoice purportedly issued by another company, with the intention of inducing CMASS to accept it as genuine.
The defendant allegedly used the false invoice to claim $9,700 from the school for supply of plants.
Thirteen remaining charges allege that between September 1, 2015 and March 30, 2016, the defendant stole a total sum of over $318,000, being payments received by the school from its students, on 13 occasions.
CMASS has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending her court appearance tomorrow.