ICAC | Bribery case involving British official's director, parents and 14 others sentenced to 8 to 14 months in prison

A former senior administrative officer of the English Schools Foundation (ESF) Ma On Shan Local School at U-Kai Sha International Kindergarten in Wu Kai Sha received bribes from 13 parents and 1 intermediary between 2018 and 2021, totaling about HK$1.1 million, to help the children of these parties “jump the queue” for admission. After admitting to nine charges including conspiracy to commit bribery, the former administrative officer turned witness for the prosecution and testified against 14 people involved in the bribery scheme. He was subsequently arrested and charged by the ICAC. The 14 defendants were each convicted of conspiracy to commit bribery, and this afternoon in West Kowloon Court, they were sentenced. The 13 parents received prison sentences of 8 to 11 months, and the intermediary was sentenced to 14 months.

ESF former administrative officer turns prosecution witness; sentencing next month

A 54-year-old ESF acting senior administrative officer involved in the same case, Lam Jen-ni, admitted to nine charges including conspiracy to commit bribery, and testified as a witness for the prosecution against the other 14 individuals. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 20.

The 13 parents involved come from 11 families, namely Lam Min-chi and her husband Cheung Ka-ming, Choi Wai-yin and her partner Lee Chun-ling, nine mothers—Wong Wai-sun (formerly Wong Wing-wan), Lau Ying-kwan (formerly Lau Wai-tek), Ma Yin-man, Li Kit-bing, Tsui Wai-chen, Kong Ching-wan, Wong Mei-sue, Mak Wai-kei, and Chu So-ngan—as well as businessman Siu Yu-bong. Their ages range from 35 to 48.

Official: Understand that parents want their children to succeed, but the fundamental condition is to obey the law

District Court Acting Judge Chan Wai-man stated that it is understandable that parents wish for their children to “win at the starting line” and get ahead, but the fundamental premise is that they must abide by the law. Otherwise, it would cause unfairness. Hong Kong’s school place resources are limited, and queue-jumping behaviors deprive others of their rights. She emphasized that sentences must be deterrent to send a message to society to uphold integrity.

The judge also said that the defendants’ imprisonment will deal a heavy blow to their families, making it difficult to care for the young and elderly at home and to face financial difficulties. However, they should have foreseen the consequences before committing the crime. After weighing various considerations, the court granted a reduction in their sentences on compassionate grounds.

Regarding the defense’s request for a suspended sentence, the judge stressed that corruption and bribery are serious crimes, and immediate imprisonment is the only appropriate response; otherwise, society will pay a painful price.

Bribes totaling about HK$1.1 million helped 12 students jump the queue

The ICAC earlier received reports of corruption and uncovered that, in this case, the 13 parents and the intermediary each provided Lam Jen-ni with bribes ranging from HK$20,000 to HK$200,000, totaling about HK$1.1 million, in exchange for the ESF Wu Kai Sha International Kindergarten providing kindergarten class places for 12 students—children of the 11 families involved in the case—as well as the daughter of Siu Yu-bong’s business partner. After one parent, Kong Ching-wan, obtained admission for her child through corrupt means, she proactively contacted Lam Jen-ni and urged her to assist Choi Wai-yin’s child in obtaining a kindergarten class place.

ICAC investigations revealed that after the 12 involved students passed the kindergarten admission interview, they were originally placed at later positions on the school’s waiting list. However, after the defendants paid bribes, these 12 students “jumped the queue” and gained admission.