Ex-director of construction firm charged with materials fraud at Xiqu Centre
2019-1-30
A former managing director of a construction company has been charged by the ICAC with conspiracy to defraud the main contractor of the construction project of Xiqu Centre by concealing the use of fibre-cement boards different from the specified brand in the installation of its metal roofing.
Leslie Chu Shing-lung, 53, former managing director of H.H. Robertson Limited (Robertson), who was charged yesterday (January 29), faces one count of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Common Law.
The defendant will appear at the West Kowloon Magistracy tomorrow (January 31) for plea.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offence.
At the material time, the defendant was the managing director of Robertson, a subcontractor of the main contractor, Hip Hing Engineering Company Limited (Hip Hing), for the supply and installation of a metal roofing cladding system at Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District. The main contractor approved Robertson to use fibre-cement boards of a specified brand.
The charge alleges that between November 1, 2016 and August 26, 2017, the defendant conspired together with a contract manager of Robertson and other unknown persons to defraud Hip Hing by dishonestly causing and concealing the use of fibre-cement boards of another brand for the installation of the metal roofing cladding system at Xiqu Centre without the main contractor’s approval.
ICAC enquiries revealed that as a result of the alleged use of fibre-cement boards of another brand in the project, Robertson would save around $200,000. However, upon the discovery by Hip Hing and its request, Robertson subsequently replaced the non-approved fibre-cement boards with the approved ones.
Hip Hing has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance tomorrow.
Leslie Chu Shing-lung, 53, former managing director of H.H. Robertson Limited (Robertson), who was charged yesterday (January 29), faces one count of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Common Law.
The defendant will appear at the West Kowloon Magistracy tomorrow (January 31) for plea.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offence.
At the material time, the defendant was the managing director of Robertson, a subcontractor of the main contractor, Hip Hing Engineering Company Limited (Hip Hing), for the supply and installation of a metal roofing cladding system at Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District. The main contractor approved Robertson to use fibre-cement boards of a specified brand.
The charge alleges that between November 1, 2016 and August 26, 2017, the defendant conspired together with a contract manager of Robertson and other unknown persons to defraud Hip Hing by dishonestly causing and concealing the use of fibre-cement boards of another brand for the installation of the metal roofing cladding system at Xiqu Centre without the main contractor’s approval.
ICAC enquiries revealed that as a result of the alleged use of fibre-cement boards of another brand in the project, Robertson would save around $200,000. However, upon the discovery by Hip Hing and its request, Robertson subsequently replaced the non-approved fibre-cement boards with the approved ones.
Hip Hing has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance tomorrow.