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SCMP Reporter

A SOLICITOR embezzled more than $1.6 million from various parties, including a law firm, it was alleged in the District Court yesterday.

  Choi Sze-fai, 32, has pleaded not guilty to 33 charges - 23 of theft, seven of uttering a forged document, two of attempting to pervert the course of public justice and one of obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception.

  Choi defended himself.

  The offences allegedly took place between 1990 and 1992.

  In his opening address, prosecuting counsel David Fitzpatrick said Choi was articled to the firm of solicitors, Leong Lam and Company (LL & Co), from June 1989 to June 1991.

  The Crown alleges that Choi used various methods to misappropriate money belonging to the firm, its clients and agents.

  In particular, Choi allegedly registered ''trading companies'' and opened bank accounts to divert funds intended for the firm and its clients.

  Payments in the form of cheques and cashier orders were diverted to the false accounts, then re-directed to his personal accounts, Mr Fitzpatrick said.

  In August 1990, Choi had registered a company called ''Andrew Liao''. Choi gave his identity card number in the application, describing himself as the sole proprietor, the court heard.

  Mr Andrew Liao, QC, occasionally engaged by LL & Co for legal services, was unaware of the action.

   Subsequent to his leaving LL & Co, Choi sought to maintain his overdraft facility with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank by giving them forged letters purporting to come from two solicitors' firms which he claimed had offered him employment, the court heard.

  Choi was arrested by officers of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on November 20, 1992. After he was interviewed, Choi was let out on bailuntil December 4, 1992.

  He allegedly attempted to persuade two prosecution witnesses, Tsui Lap-lung and Chan Chun-mo, not to give evidence against him.

  The prosecution alleges that Choi telephoned Mr Tsui and arranged to meet him on November 21, 1992.

  They met at Mr Tsui's workplace in Kam Tin where Choi allegedly pleaded with him and admitted that he had wrongly taken the monies in question.

  Mr Mr Tsui's wife, Lam Suet-fai, witnessed the alleged confession, counsel said.

    Choi also offered to give the couple a flat in lieu of repayment, threatening to commit suicide if the pair did not help him, the court heard.

  Mr Tsui later reported the matter to the ICAC and Choi was subsequently brought before the Eastern Court on December 31, 1992, and was remanded in custody until a judge in chambers granted him bail on January 8 last year.

  The hearing before Judge Britton continues.



Solicitor on trial for $1.6m embezzlement