AN accountant stole $9 million from his employer and then squandered it on Thai masseuses and a lover.
But when Choy Wing-chung, 46, was caught he claimed his architect boss had given him the money in exchange for his silence, alleging Lee Hong-yan wanted to keep three mainland mistresses secret from his two families.
Choy was convicted in the District Court of 25 charges of theft and sentenced to 61/2 years' jail. He denied the crimes and none of the money was recovered.
Choy said most of it had been spent on two Thai women he met at a massage parlour in Macau. The rest was swallowed up by an equally expensive Chinese lover in Hong Kong.
'The defendant embezzled an enormous sum of money which he used on high living with women who no doubt found him attractive because of his money,' Judge Chua said.
Choy worked as an accountant for Phlox Limited and its 11 subsidiaries from 1980 to December 1994.
Managing director Mr Lee trusted Choy. But once Mr Lee had signed cheques, Choy cashed them and pocketed the money. He also forged Mr Lee's signature.
