A top anti-triad cop has confessed to HK$570,000 (US$72,900) in bribes the operators of two private clubs in Wan Chai which were being investigated for vice offenses.
Police superintendent Ng Wai-hon, 54, gave confidential information to the bosses of MB Club Mont. Busa (MBC) and GOLDEN about police probes into their premises, including tips to evade inspections.
In return, he received several payments of HK$114,000 (US$14,600) between January 2016 and January 2017, totalling some HK$570,000, according to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
Details about the offenses were heard yesterday at the District Court where Ng pleaded guilty to a joint charge of conspiracy for a public servant to accept advantages.
Another defendant 47-year-old Luen Kei-cheung — the operator of both clubs — pleaded guilty to the same joint charge.
A third accused, 38-year-old Tse Hoi-kin, also an operator at both venues, pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of aiding and abetting another person to offer an advantage to a public servant.
The case first came to light in October last year when Ng was charged with accepting bribes and sexual services for passing on information to his co-defendants.
Information on the alleged sexual services were not included in the statement released by the ICAC.
The court heard that Ng was seen to have met Luen and/or Tse on 11 occasions and visited MB Club Mont between March 2016 and January the following year.
At the time, he was a superintendent of police attached to Hong Kong Island Regional Headquarters’ crime administration and support department.
He was tasked to oversee the operation of its Regional Anti-triad Unit (RATU) which in 2015 had started an investigation into MBC for suspected vice activities.
The unit also launched a probe into GOLDEN the following year. Progress of the investigations was reported to Ng.
The judge adjourned the case to October 18 for sentence. The defendants were remanded in custody.
