Ex-guesthouse operator charged with bribery over tenancy agreement
2019-12-13
A former guesthouse operator has been charged by the ICAC today (December 13) with offering bribes in cash, travel packages and reimbursements worth totalling over $30,000 to a flat owner’s brother to resolve tenancy matters.
Sze Ching-lok, 52, faces two counts of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
The defendant will appear at the Kowloon City Magistracy next Tuesday (December 17) for plea.
In April 2013, the defendant rented a flat in Yaumatei for operating a guesthouse. The flat was owned by a company held by a couple, and the younger brother of the wife was entrusted to handle its leasing matters. Before leasing out the flat, the brother had to seek instructions from his elder sister.
In early 2016, the defendant was in talks with a potential investor over transferring the guesthouse business. Since then, the defendant had been trying to terminate his tenancy so that the new operator could sign a new agreement with the couple.
One of the charges alleges that on or about December 13, 2016, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, offered free travel packages and reimbursements to the brother as an inducement to or reward for assisting to obtain the sister’s agreement in the negotiation of terms in respect of a new tenancy agreement of the flat.
Another charge alleges that on or about June 9, 2017, the defendant offered $30,000 in cash to the brother for the same purpose.
The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance next Tuesday.
Sze Ching-lok, 52, faces two counts of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
The defendant will appear at the Kowloon City Magistracy next Tuesday (December 17) for plea.
In April 2013, the defendant rented a flat in Yaumatei for operating a guesthouse. The flat was owned by a company held by a couple, and the younger brother of the wife was entrusted to handle its leasing matters. Before leasing out the flat, the brother had to seek instructions from his elder sister.
In early 2016, the defendant was in talks with a potential investor over transferring the guesthouse business. Since then, the defendant had been trying to terminate his tenancy so that the new operator could sign a new agreement with the couple.
One of the charges alleges that on or about December 13, 2016, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, offered free travel packages and reimbursements to the brother as an inducement to or reward for assisting to obtain the sister’s agreement in the negotiation of terms in respect of a new tenancy agreement of the flat.
Another charge alleges that on or about June 9, 2017, the defendant offered $30,000 in cash to the brother for the same purpose.
The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance next Tuesday.