PMC technical officer charged by ICAC guilty of using false quotations

The ICAC earlier charged two technical officers of a property management company (PMC) with an offence under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO) for using nearly 120 false quotations to mislead the PMC while handling various minor maintenance and repair works of a private residential estate, involving a total value of approximately $600,000. One defendant had already pleaded guilty earlier, the other was convicted today (August 18) at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts.

Yeung Kwok-san, 30, former senior technical officer of Harriman Property Management Limited (HPM), was found guilty after trial of one count of agent using document with intent to deceive his principal, contrary to section 9(3) of the POBO. Yeung’s subordinate, Koon Wai-fung, 32, former technical officer of HPM, earlier pleaded guilty to the charge.

Magistrate Mr Eric Yao Kwok-sun remarked that the case was serious in nature involving a significant number of false quotations and breach of trust. The Magistrate adjourned the case to August 28 for sentencing, and remanded Yeung in the custody of the Correctional Services Department, pending his background and community service order reports. Koon was granted bail, pending his community service order report.

The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. At the material time, HPM provided property management services to Monterey, a private residential estate in Tseung Kwan O. Yeung and Koon were both posted to the estate to handle procurement matters for building maintenance or repair works. According to HPM’s guidelines, staff were required to obtain quotations from at least three contractors for any minor works valued below $20,000.

The court heard that between February and April, 2023, the two defendants awarded nearly 60 work orders to three contractors, with a total value of approximately $600,000. During an internal audit conducted by HPM, it was suspected that the duo failed to comply with the guidelines by not securing sufficient quotations before directly awarding these orders. Subsequently, they submitted nearly 120 false quotations to the company, claiming these had been provided by 17 different contractors.

The ICAC enquiries revealed that the documents were forged by the two defendants, and none of the 17 contractors had ever issued such quotations for the relevant works.

HPM rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.

The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Bernard Yuen, assisted by ICAC officer Alen Ho.