Law firm's ex-employee accused of theft

A law firm's former employee was accused in Eastern Court yesterday of theft and using false letters of authorisation. The prosecution said Ho Yin-pan, 48, used eight letters of authorisation bearing the letterhead of his former employer, law firm Chong & Yen, to visit detainees at the Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre. A principal partner of the firm, Gina Chong Chew-then, said she did not sign the letters and that the detainees were not her clients. The trial continues today before magistrate Johnny Chan Jong-herng.