Quarry Bay Park workers fiddled books to pay for staff toilets
When Chan Sau-yan decided he wanted toilets installed in the management office of a park in Quarry Bay, he knew exactly who would pick up the bill.
Chan, a senior amenities assistant with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, ordered staff working under him to make 25 fake requests for minor repairs in two parks, such as water pipes and decoration work.
Each 'job' was billed at only HK$250, but the total came to HK$6,250 - and Chan used the money to have toilets installed in the male and female shower rooms for staff at the management office.
He admitted in Eastern Court yesterday that the repairs were never made. Chan, 50, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to defraud before Magistrate William Lam Kui-po.
Of the three assistants, each charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud, Chan Muk-kiu, 40, pleaded guilty and Chan Tung-yuen, 38, and Yeung Wai-yung, 40, pleaded not guilty.
The Architectural Services Department, which footed the bill, estimated the toilets, plus two sinks, cost HK$8,000 to HK$10,000, and said they were installed without departmental permission. Lawyers for the two who pleaded guilty will submit their mitigation next Monday, while the other two will face trial later this week.
Chan Sau-yan took care of internal management at Quarry Bay Park Phases I and II, and Sai Wan Ho Playground. Chan Muk-kiu and Chan Tung-yuen worked under him at Quarry Bay Park Phase II, and Yeung at Sai Wan Ho Playground.
The senior assistant ordered the assistants to make requests for repairs to be done at Quarry Bay Park Phase II and Sai Wan Ho Playground. One of the assistants made the requests to the Architectural Services Department's hotline.
In September and October 2007, the assistants signed off on documents that purportedly showed the work had been carried out, prompting the department to pay them.
The Architectural Services Department is responsible for taking care of requests for minor repairs at government facilities. After a government department makes a request, architectural services places an order with a construction company to complete the work and asks the requesting department to sign a confirmation when the repairs are finished.
