Man gets seven months for $250,000 fraud over purchase of office supplies
2019-11-5
A former assistant manager of a weaving company, charged by the ICAC, was today (November 5) sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment at the West Kowloon Magistracy for defrauding his then employer over the purchase of office supplies and machinery parts worth about $250,000 from a company owned by him without making any disclosure.
Michael Lee Siu-pang, 54, former assistant administration manager of Ching Hing Weaving Dyeing & Printing Factory Limited (Ching Hing), earlier pleaded guilty to eight charges – seven of fraud, contrary to Section 16A(1) of the Theft Ordinance; and one of attempted fraud, contrary to Section 16A(1) of the Theft Ordinance and Section 159G(1) of the Crimes Ordinance.
In sentencing, Principal Magistrate Mr Peter Law Tak-chuen said the offences committed by the defendant constituted a breach of trust as the fraud scam was a premeditated one.
The principal magistrate said he took a starting point of 12 months’ imprisonment, and reduced the defendant’s jail term to seven months after taking into account his guilty plea and remorse.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offences.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was an assistant administration manager of Ching Hing, which engaged in fabric processing business and fabric sale. The defendant was responsible for office administration, merchandising and receipt of goods.
On March 18, 2000, the defendant set up a business with the trading name of Tai Shing Engineering Works Company (Tai Shing).
Between January 28 and July 10, 2000, the defendant submitted eight invoices of Tai Shing to Ching Hing in relation to the purchase of office supplies and machinery parts including printing papers, air conditioners and air filters, etc.
Of the eight invoices, Ching Hing settled seven payments with Tai Shing, ranging from $2,250 to $57,900, totalling over $203,000. After discovering that Tai Shing was solely owned by the defendant, Ching Hing suspended the eighth payment of $46,000 to Tai Shing.
The court heard that the defendant had never reported to Ching Hing that he was the proprietor of Tai Shing. On July 31, 2000, he was dismissed by Ching Hing.
The defendant left Hong Kong in November 2000 prior to the overt action of the ICAC. He was arrested by ICAC officers when he returned to Hong Kong in September 2018.
When interviewed under caution by ICAC officers, the defendant admitted that he had either marked up the prices of the items sold to Ching Hing to benefit from the price differences, or failed to deliver goods ordered by Ching Hing.
Ching Hing had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Keith Chu.
Michael Lee Siu-pang, 54, former assistant administration manager of Ching Hing Weaving Dyeing & Printing Factory Limited (Ching Hing), earlier pleaded guilty to eight charges – seven of fraud, contrary to Section 16A(1) of the Theft Ordinance; and one of attempted fraud, contrary to Section 16A(1) of the Theft Ordinance and Section 159G(1) of the Crimes Ordinance.
In sentencing, Principal Magistrate Mr Peter Law Tak-chuen said the offences committed by the defendant constituted a breach of trust as the fraud scam was a premeditated one.
The principal magistrate said he took a starting point of 12 months’ imprisonment, and reduced the defendant’s jail term to seven months after taking into account his guilty plea and remorse.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offences.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was an assistant administration manager of Ching Hing, which engaged in fabric processing business and fabric sale. The defendant was responsible for office administration, merchandising and receipt of goods.
On March 18, 2000, the defendant set up a business with the trading name of Tai Shing Engineering Works Company (Tai Shing).
Between January 28 and July 10, 2000, the defendant submitted eight invoices of Tai Shing to Ching Hing in relation to the purchase of office supplies and machinery parts including printing papers, air conditioners and air filters, etc.
Of the eight invoices, Ching Hing settled seven payments with Tai Shing, ranging from $2,250 to $57,900, totalling over $203,000. After discovering that Tai Shing was solely owned by the defendant, Ching Hing suspended the eighth payment of $46,000 to Tai Shing.
The court heard that the defendant had never reported to Ching Hing that he was the proprietor of Tai Shing. On July 31, 2000, he was dismissed by Ching Hing.
The defendant left Hong Kong in November 2000 prior to the overt action of the ICAC. He was arrested by ICAC officers when he returned to Hong Kong in September 2018.
When interviewed under caution by ICAC officers, the defendant admitted that he had either marked up the prices of the items sold to Ching Hing to benefit from the price differences, or failed to deliver goods ordered by Ching Hing.
Ching Hing had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Keith Chu.