A film company which distributed movies starring pop singer Andy Lau Tak-wah and Hollywood star Bruce Willis was swindled out of $1 million, a court heard yesterday. Distribution manager Choi Wah-cheung, 42, and director Wong Shu-hung, 43, were accused of deceiving Modern Films Distribution Limited by transferring the money into their bank accounts, prosecutor Graeme Mackay said. The pair pleaded not guilty to four charges of procuring the execution of a valuable security. Wong, a shareholder in the company, further denied a similar charge and one of procuring false entry in a bank record by deception. The District Court heard Wong had worked for the film production and distribution group, Shaw Brothers, and film distributor Golden Harvest. Mr Mackay said Modern Films Distribution, which ceased operating in June 1995, had distributed films to theatres and companies in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Between January and June 1995, the pair instructed some of its customers to deposit cheques into either their personal bank accounts or accounts held by their companies, it is alleged. Mr Mackay said Choi and Wong claimed Modern Films Distribution had changed its name and asked the customers to alter the payees on the cheques totalling $1,076,742. The trial continues today before Deputy Judge Peter Line.
