A district councillor asked a director of a bus company for $100,000 in return for help in renewing a coach service licence, the District Court heard yesterday.
But a lawyer defending Sha Tin councillor Wong Kwok-hung told the court the ICAC investigation into his client - with the help of an 'undercover agent' - amounted to entrapment.
Wong, 46, pleaded not guilty to soliciting the money from Wong Chi-man last February as a reward for helping Nam Hoi Bus Services Company renew its licence to operate between Kam Ying Court, Ma On Shan, and Cheung Yue Street, Lai Chi Kwok. Wong Chi-man, the director turned undercover agent, has been granted immunity, the court has heard.
Wong Kwok-hung also denied accepting a $30,000 bribe from Wong Chi-man on September 23 last year in relation to the renewal of the licence. Prosecutor Shaun Kelly told the court the defendant asked Wong Chi-man for the $100,000 at a meeting last February.
Mr Kelly alleged that Wong, chairman of the Incorporated Owners of Kam Ying Court, endorsed the application.
The renewal was granted by the Transport Department last August.