ICAC suspect extradited from US to face $2.8m fraud charge
2015-2-6
A former sub-contractor of the Highways Department (HyD), wanted by the ICAC, has been extradited from the United States (US) to Hong Kong to face prosecution for alleged conspiracy to defraud the main contractor and HyD of road maintenance works payments totalling over $2.8 million.
Ip Ching-sang, 58, former shareholder-cum-director of Hop Hei Engineering Company Limited (Hop Hei), was arrested in Seattle by officers of the US Marshals Service on December 1, 2014 at the request of the Department of Justice in Hong Kong.
Ip later waived his right for the extradition proceedings in the US, and agreed to return to Hong Kong voluntarily.
With the assistance of the US authorities, two ICAC officers escorted Ip on board a flight from the US to arrive in Hong Kong last (Thursday) night.
Ip was then charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Common Law, and brought to the Eastern Magistracy this (Friday) morning for mention.
No plea was taken. Principal Magistrate Ms Bina Chainrai adjourned the case to March 20 this year for mention. Ip was remanded in custody of the Correctional Services Department.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offence of conspiracy to defraud.
At the material time, Hop Hei was the subcontractor of Hung Mau Realty & Construction Limited (Hung Mau), the main contractor of a road maintenance term contract awarded by HyD.
The charge alleged that between 1999 and 2002, Ip conspired with a foreman of Hop Hei and others to defraud Hung Mau and HyD, their employees or agents.
Ip was alleged to have falsely represented that a painting material called "Nucem skim coat" was sufficiently used in works carried under the term contract in respect of road maintenance works in Sha Tin, Sai Kung and Islands Districts, and caused Hung Mau and HyD, their employees or agents to be under a false impression that the painting material was used in the contract works.
As a result, Hung Mau and HyD were allegedly induced to release payments for the contract works. The payments were said to amount to over $2.8 million.
On January 9, 2011, Ip was arrested by the ICAC during an investigation into the corruption complaint. He was then released on ICAC bail, pending further enquiries.
Ip failed to report bail to the ICAC on January 18, 2011, and a warrant was issued by a magistrate for his arrest.
On August 16, 2012, Ip was placed on the Interpol Red Notice for his apprehension. He was arrested in Seattle by officers of the US Marshals Service on December 1, 2014.
The ICAC thanked the US Marshals Service as well as the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and the US Department of Justice for rendering valuable assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Ip.
HyD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Jonathan Lin, assisted by ICAC officer Angus Wong.
Ip Ching-sang, 58, former shareholder-cum-director of Hop Hei Engineering Company Limited (Hop Hei), was arrested in Seattle by officers of the US Marshals Service on December 1, 2014 at the request of the Department of Justice in Hong Kong.
Ip later waived his right for the extradition proceedings in the US, and agreed to return to Hong Kong voluntarily.
With the assistance of the US authorities, two ICAC officers escorted Ip on board a flight from the US to arrive in Hong Kong last (Thursday) night.
Ip was then charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Common Law, and brought to the Eastern Magistracy this (Friday) morning for mention.
No plea was taken. Principal Magistrate Ms Bina Chainrai adjourned the case to March 20 this year for mention. Ip was remanded in custody of the Correctional Services Department.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offence of conspiracy to defraud.
At the material time, Hop Hei was the subcontractor of Hung Mau Realty & Construction Limited (Hung Mau), the main contractor of a road maintenance term contract awarded by HyD.
The charge alleged that between 1999 and 2002, Ip conspired with a foreman of Hop Hei and others to defraud Hung Mau and HyD, their employees or agents.
Ip was alleged to have falsely represented that a painting material called "Nucem skim coat" was sufficiently used in works carried under the term contract in respect of road maintenance works in Sha Tin, Sai Kung and Islands Districts, and caused Hung Mau and HyD, their employees or agents to be under a false impression that the painting material was used in the contract works.
As a result, Hung Mau and HyD were allegedly induced to release payments for the contract works. The payments were said to amount to over $2.8 million.
On January 9, 2011, Ip was arrested by the ICAC during an investigation into the corruption complaint. He was then released on ICAC bail, pending further enquiries.
Ip failed to report bail to the ICAC on January 18, 2011, and a warrant was issued by a magistrate for his arrest.
On August 16, 2012, Ip was placed on the Interpol Red Notice for his apprehension. He was arrested in Seattle by officers of the US Marshals Service on December 1, 2014.
The ICAC thanked the US Marshals Service as well as the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and the US Department of Justice for rendering valuable assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Ip.
HyD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Jonathan Lin, assisted by ICAC officer Angus Wong.