Kitchen supplier admits bribing restaurant manager for orders
RTHK · 3 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
A 56-year-old kitchen equipment supplier has pleaded guilty at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts to offering an illegal rebate to a purchasing manager at a Chinese restaurant group in order to obtain kitchenware orders. Acting Principal Magistrate Lee Chi-ho adjourned the case to November 12 for mention while the defendant provides assistance to the prosecution, and she was granted bail in the meantime.
Key Points
- The defendant was identified as Lai Ah-ho, owner of Cheer Exhibition Kitchen Equipment Co. Ltd., and she admitted one count of offering an advantage to an agent.
- The charge was brought by the Independent Commission Against Corruption under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance after an investigation into the order arrangements.
- The case concerned a Chinese restaurant group preparing to open a new branch in Kowloon Bay in December 2022, prompting multiple kitchen equipment orders.
- Lai admitted that on December 25, 2022, she offered an illegal commission on three orders worth more than HK$79,000.
- The rebate was calculated at 15% of the order value, amounting to about HK$12,000, and was allegedly paid to the restaurant purchasing manager.
Why It Matters
The adjournment means the case is not yet fully concluded, because the court is waiting for the defendant’s assistance to the prosecution before the next hearing. For Hong Kong businesses, the case is a reminder that kickbacks tied to procurement decisions can lead to criminal charges under anti-bribery law