One of Hong Kong's biggest operators of medical clinics and homes for the elderly, Quality Healthcare Asia Limited, is suing its former executive director, Nelson Wong Chi-kit, for misconduct over his attempt at a takeover.
In a High Court writ, Quality Healthcare is seeking damages from Dr Wong over his bid to buy all the company's shares through Caduceus Medica Limited, which he owns.
Dr Wong is also accused of wrongly making use of confidential information concerning the healthcare provider, the writ said.
It says the move amounted to a breach of a service agreement dated October 10 last year in which Dr Wong pledged to prevent the unauthorised disclosure of any trade secret or confidential information.
The writ says that in making his conditional offer, Dr Wong made use of the information he had acquired concerning the company. It adds that by making the offer through Caduceus, the defendant put himself in a position where his interests were in conflict with Quality Healthcare's interests.
Caduceus was a wholly owned subsidiary of Leopard Rock Limited, of which Dr Wong was a director. The takeover bid fell through.