Site team leader charged by ICAC jailed for accepting bribes from construction workers over Third Runway Project jobs
2022-5-6
A then site team leader of a sub-contractor of the Third Runway Project of the Hong Kong International Airport (Third Runway Project) was today (May 6) sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts for accepting illegal rebates totalling over $17,000 from three construction workers. The defendant was among six charged by the ICAC with bribery for assisting construction workers to secure employment with the sub-contractor.
Tang Amanjo Ho-yin, 43, then site team leader of MLife Engineering Limited (MEL), was also ordered by Deputy Magistrate Mr Tsang Hing-tung to pay a restitution of $17,400, equivalent to the amount of illegal rebates concerned, to his then employer.
The defendant was earlier found guilty of three charges – two of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO); and one of conspiracy for agent to accept advantages, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the POBO and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
In sentencing, the deputy magistrate reprimanded the defendant for undermining the probity of Hong Kong society, warranting a deterrent custodial sentence.
At the material time, MEL was a sub-contractor of the Third Runway Project responsible for recruiting construction workers to conduct various works. Recruitment was conducted mainly through referrals by construction workers. The defendant led a team of construction workers to perform carpentry works at the project’s construction site.
The court heard that between June and August 2020, three construction workers were introduced by the defendant and others to work in the defendant’s team at the construction site. The defendant solicited an illegal rebate of $200 per working day from each of them.
Between July 2020 and January 2021, the defendant accepted illegal rebates totalling $17,400 from the three construction workers.
The three construction workers believed that they would not have been employed by MEL or would be terminated by the defendant if they had not given the rebates, the court heard.
The investigation arose from corruption complaints filed with the ICAC. Following enforcement actions taken by the Commission, four then site team leaders, including the defendant, and two construction workers were charged with a total of 13 counts of bribery in three cases in October 2021.
The Airport Authority Hong Kong, the relevant main contractor SAPR JV and MEL had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the cases. ICAC enquiries are continuing and further arrests and prosecutions may be made.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Stephen Fong, assisted by ICAC officers Eric Siu and Cody Chung.
Tang Amanjo Ho-yin, 43, then site team leader of MLife Engineering Limited (MEL), was also ordered by Deputy Magistrate Mr Tsang Hing-tung to pay a restitution of $17,400, equivalent to the amount of illegal rebates concerned, to his then employer.
The defendant was earlier found guilty of three charges – two of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO); and one of conspiracy for agent to accept advantages, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the POBO and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
In sentencing, the deputy magistrate reprimanded the defendant for undermining the probity of Hong Kong society, warranting a deterrent custodial sentence.
At the material time, MEL was a sub-contractor of the Third Runway Project responsible for recruiting construction workers to conduct various works. Recruitment was conducted mainly through referrals by construction workers. The defendant led a team of construction workers to perform carpentry works at the project’s construction site.
The court heard that between June and August 2020, three construction workers were introduced by the defendant and others to work in the defendant’s team at the construction site. The defendant solicited an illegal rebate of $200 per working day from each of them.
Between July 2020 and January 2021, the defendant accepted illegal rebates totalling $17,400 from the three construction workers.
The three construction workers believed that they would not have been employed by MEL or would be terminated by the defendant if they had not given the rebates, the court heard.
The investigation arose from corruption complaints filed with the ICAC. Following enforcement actions taken by the Commission, four then site team leaders, including the defendant, and two construction workers were charged with a total of 13 counts of bribery in three cases in October 2021.
The Airport Authority Hong Kong, the relevant main contractor SAPR JV and MEL had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the cases. ICAC enquiries are continuing and further arrests and prosecutions may be made.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Stephen Fong, assisted by ICAC officers Eric Siu and Cody Chung.