GLD Supplies Supervisor and labourer sentenced for fraud over unauthorised leave
2019-8-20
A Supplies Supervisor of the Government Logistics Department (GLD) and a labourer of a cleaning contractor, charged by the ICAC, were today (August 20) sentenced at the West Kowloon Magistracy for their roles in an unauthorised leave fraud scam causing loss to the contractor and the government totalling over $23,000.
Sung Hon-sing, 37, Supplies Supervisor II of GLD, and Chau Sim-lan, 61, labourer of Man Shing Cleaning Service Company Limited (Man Shing), were each ordered by Deputy Magistrate Lo Chi-hung to perform 120 hours of community service. Chau was also ordered to pay over $9,100 as compensation to Man Shing.
In sentencing, the deputy magistrate said the offences committed by the defendants were serious in nature and constituted a breach of trust. Having considered that Sung had no personal gain and Chau had stopped taking unauthorised leave before she was employed by a new contractor on better terms, non-custodial sentences were imposed on them.
The deputy magistrate also commented that Sung had committed serious offences despite a good motive, and reminded civil servants to uphold integrity.
Sung and Chau earlier pleaded guilty to a joint charge of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Common Law. Sung further pleaded guilty to nine counts of agent using documents with intent to deceive his principal, contrary to Section 9(3) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
The court heard that at the material time, Sung was employed by the GLD as a Supplies Supervisor II and posted to the General Store of Tsim Sha Tsui Fire Station of the Fire Services Department (FSD).
In August 2016, the FSD awarded an 18-month contract to Man Shing, which retained Chau to provide cleaning service at the store.
In the same month, Chau complained to Sung that her monthly salary under Man Shing’s employment was reduced by $1,800 when compared to that paid by the previous contractors engaged by the FSD.
The duo then agreed for Chau to take three days of “unofficial” leave each month as compensation. Under the arrangement, Chau took 26 days of “unofficial” leave and obtained her monthly salary in full between September 2016 and May 2017.
Had Man Shing known that Chau was absent from duty on the 26 days, it would have deducted her wages totalling over $9,100, the court heard.
In addition, Sung had used false attendance records of Chau for the 26 days, and certified monthly payment certification forms and invoices containing false information on nine occasions for the FSD to process payments to Man Shing.
The court heard that Chau’s total working hours was inflated by 260 hours during the period, resulting in the FSD making extra payments totalling over $14,000 to Man Shing.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Wily Chan.
Sung Hon-sing, 37, Supplies Supervisor II of GLD, and Chau Sim-lan, 61, labourer of Man Shing Cleaning Service Company Limited (Man Shing), were each ordered by Deputy Magistrate Lo Chi-hung to perform 120 hours of community service. Chau was also ordered to pay over $9,100 as compensation to Man Shing.
In sentencing, the deputy magistrate said the offences committed by the defendants were serious in nature and constituted a breach of trust. Having considered that Sung had no personal gain and Chau had stopped taking unauthorised leave before she was employed by a new contractor on better terms, non-custodial sentences were imposed on them.
The deputy magistrate also commented that Sung had committed serious offences despite a good motive, and reminded civil servants to uphold integrity.
Sung and Chau earlier pleaded guilty to a joint charge of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Common Law. Sung further pleaded guilty to nine counts of agent using documents with intent to deceive his principal, contrary to Section 9(3) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
The court heard that at the material time, Sung was employed by the GLD as a Supplies Supervisor II and posted to the General Store of Tsim Sha Tsui Fire Station of the Fire Services Department (FSD).
In August 2016, the FSD awarded an 18-month contract to Man Shing, which retained Chau to provide cleaning service at the store.
In the same month, Chau complained to Sung that her monthly salary under Man Shing’s employment was reduced by $1,800 when compared to that paid by the previous contractors engaged by the FSD.
The duo then agreed for Chau to take three days of “unofficial” leave each month as compensation. Under the arrangement, Chau took 26 days of “unofficial” leave and obtained her monthly salary in full between September 2016 and May 2017.
Had Man Shing known that Chau was absent from duty on the 26 days, it would have deducted her wages totalling over $9,100, the court heard.
In addition, Sung had used false attendance records of Chau for the 26 days, and certified monthly payment certification forms and invoices containing false information on nine occasions for the FSD to process payments to Man Shing.
The court heard that Chau’s total working hours was inflated by 260 hours during the period, resulting in the FSD making extra payments totalling over $14,000 to Man Shing.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Wily Chan.