A hardware retailer, charged by the ICAC, was today (December 12) sentenced at the Tuen Mun Magistracy for offering illegal commissions to secure hardware supplies orders in relation to the construction of a private columbarium.

Lai Maojian, 40, proprietor of San Hang Fat Metal Company (San Hang Fat), was ordered by Acting Principal Magistrate Ms Cheung Kit-yee to perform 120 hours of community service.

The defendant earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for agent to accept an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.

The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was the proprietor of San Hang Fat, a hardware retailer.

In mid-July 2017, the defendant was approached by an assistant project manager of Wai Tat Foundation & Engineering Limited (Wai Tat), which was awarded a contract for the construction of a columbarium at Tsing Shan Tsuen in Tuen Mun.

The defendant was told that Wai Tat would place orders with San Hang Fat if he agreed to give the assistant project manager 10 per cent of the value of the purchase orders as commissions.

The duo eventually agreed to lower the commission rate from 10 to five per cent. Wai Tat had placed orders with San Hang Fat at a total sum of over $200,000 between August 2017 and July 2018.

The court heard that during the period, the defendant had paid illegal commissions, totalling about $9,600, to the assistant project manager.

Wai Tat had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.

The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Ruby Cheung.