Ex-HKJC branch service associate sentenced for bribery over employment
2019-12-2
A then branch service associate of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), charged by the ICAC, was today (December 2) sentenced at the Eastern Magistracy for soliciting and accepting $2,000 in total from a job applicant for securing a branch service associate post.
Ma Chi-shing, 27, then branch service associate of the HKJC, was ordered by Deputy Magistrate Ms Vivian Wong Wing-man to perform 160 hours of community service.
The defendant earlier pleaded guilty to three charges – one of public servant soliciting an advantage and two of public servant accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 4(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was employed by the HKJC as branch service associate and posted to Tai Kok Tsui Off-course betting branch.
Knowing that a friend was interested in applying for a job at the HKJC, the defendant requested his friend to deposit $1,000 into his betting account, and assured to secure his employment by teaching him how to deal with the job interview.
In January 2017, the defendant received $1,000 deposited into his betting account but his friend did not hear any interview opportunity from the HKJC.
The court heard that in July 2017, the defendant again guaranteed to secure the job for his friend and asked him to deposit another $1,000 into this betting account. The solicitation was turned down.
In November 2018, the defendant’s friend asked about the job opportunity. The defendant further asked his friend to deposit an “introduction fee” into his betting account for arranging an interview for him.
An interview was eventually conducted through the arrangement of the defendant and $1,000 was deposited into his betting account afterwards. The defendant’s friend was offered the employment of branch service associate in December 2018.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the HKJC, which has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Stephen Nam.
Ma Chi-shing, 27, then branch service associate of the HKJC, was ordered by Deputy Magistrate Ms Vivian Wong Wing-man to perform 160 hours of community service.
The defendant earlier pleaded guilty to three charges – one of public servant soliciting an advantage and two of public servant accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 4(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was employed by the HKJC as branch service associate and posted to Tai Kok Tsui Off-course betting branch.
Knowing that a friend was interested in applying for a job at the HKJC, the defendant requested his friend to deposit $1,000 into his betting account, and assured to secure his employment by teaching him how to deal with the job interview.
In January 2017, the defendant received $1,000 deposited into his betting account but his friend did not hear any interview opportunity from the HKJC.
The court heard that in July 2017, the defendant again guaranteed to secure the job for his friend and asked him to deposit another $1,000 into this betting account. The solicitation was turned down.
In November 2018, the defendant’s friend asked about the job opportunity. The defendant further asked his friend to deposit an “introduction fee” into his betting account for arranging an interview for him.
An interview was eventually conducted through the arrangement of the defendant and $1,000 was deposited into his betting account afterwards. The defendant’s friend was offered the employment of branch service associate in December 2018.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the HKJC, which has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Stephen Nam.