Ex-HKJC branch service associate admits bribery over employment
2020-1-16
A former branch service associate of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), charged by the ICAC, admitted at the Eastern Magistracy today (January 16) that he had offered $2,000 in bribes in relation to his application for the post.
Koo Kin-yuet, 27, former branch service associate of the HKJC, pleaded guilty to two counts of offering an advantage to a public servant, contrary to Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO).
Magistrate Miss Veronica Heung Shuk-han adjourned the case to February 5 for sentence, pending probation and community service order reports. Koo was granted bail.
The court heard that at the material time, Koo’s friend Ma Chi-shing was a branch service associate of the HKJC posted to its Tai Kok Tsui off-course betting branch.
After knowing that Koo was interested in applying for a job at the HKJC, Ma requested Koo to deposit $1,000 into his betting account, and assured to secure Koo’s employment by teaching him how to deal with the job interview.
Koo deposited $1,000 into Ma’s betting account on January 24, 2017, but he did not hear any interview opportunity from the HKJC afterwards.
In November 2018, Koo asked Ma again about the job opportunity. Ma then asked Koo to deposit an “introduction fee” into his betting account for arranging an interview for him.
An interview was eventually conducted on November 5, 2018 through the arrangement of Ma, and Koo deposited $1,000 into Ma’s betting account on the following day. In December 2018, Koo was offered the employment of branch service associate, the court heard.
Ma, 27, was also charged for his role in the case. In November 2019, he 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 POBO.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the HKJC, which had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Henry Cheung.
Koo Kin-yuet, 27, former branch service associate of the HKJC, pleaded guilty to two counts of offering an advantage to a public servant, contrary to Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO).
Magistrate Miss Veronica Heung Shuk-han adjourned the case to February 5 for sentence, pending probation and community service order reports. Koo was granted bail.
The court heard that at the material time, Koo’s friend Ma Chi-shing was a branch service associate of the HKJC posted to its Tai Kok Tsui off-course betting branch.
After knowing that Koo was interested in applying for a job at the HKJC, Ma requested Koo to deposit $1,000 into his betting account, and assured to secure Koo’s employment by teaching him how to deal with the job interview.
Koo deposited $1,000 into Ma’s betting account on January 24, 2017, but he did not hear any interview opportunity from the HKJC afterwards.
In November 2018, Koo asked Ma again about the job opportunity. Ma then asked Koo to deposit an “introduction fee” into his betting account for arranging an interview for him.
An interview was eventually conducted on November 5, 2018 through the arrangement of Ma, and Koo deposited $1,000 into Ma’s betting account on the following day. In December 2018, Koo was offered the employment of branch service associate, the court heard.
Ma, 27, was also charged for his role in the case. In November 2019, he 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 POBO.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the HKJC, which had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Henry Cheung.