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Arrest order against former UST professor tied to fraud
An arrest order has been issued by the court against Yeung Lam-lung, a former University of Science and Technology chemistry adjunct associate professor wanted by the anti-graft watchdog for allegedly concealing his interest in the procurement of equipment.
The 58-year-old Yeung, who had left Hong Kong, has been charged by the Independent Commission Against Corruption with three counts of conspiracy to defraud and 14 counts of fraud.
He allegedly concealed his interest in two suppliers from his employer - HKUST and its subsidiary - in procuring laboratory equipment and testing services worth around HK$4 million.
In late September, Au Yeung Siu-fung, 42, sole director and shareholder of Chun Fo (Asia) Pharmaceutical, and Yeung Siu-on, 40, sole director and shareholder of PIT, were charged by ICAC with conspiracy to defraud and fraud.
The watchdog said the alleged offenses took place between September 2011 and February 2019, when the former professor conducted 17 tendering and procurement exercises from the two companies.
However, he had direct or indirect financial interests with the two companies and he concealed it despite the university requiring him to declare his conflict of interest with any suppliers before engaging. Suppliers were required to do the same.
When the pharmaceutical was incorporated in mid-2012, Yeung Siu was its sole director and shareholder, while Au Yeung took over the position in late 2012.
ICAC said the former professor had allegedly conspired with either Au Yeung or Yeung Siu to defraud, inducing the university to engage with them in three of the 17 tendering and procurement exercises, enabling invoice settlement in full, including 14 other procurement exercises with the same suppliers.
The suppliers case is adjourned to October 27.
In a reply to The Standard, the university said it "issues internal e-mails to university staff from time to time to remind them to comply with the relevant policies and procedures." It added that it has zero tolerance toward corruption and fraudulent behavior and will render full assistance to the authorities on all investigations.
He allegedly concealed his interest in two suppliers from his employer - HKUST and its subsidiary - in procuring laboratory equipment and testing services worth around HK$4 million.
In late September, Au Yeung Siu-fung, 42, sole director and shareholder of Chun Fo (Asia) Pharmaceutical, and Yeung Siu-on, 40, sole director and shareholder of PIT, were charged by ICAC with conspiracy to defraud and fraud.
The watchdog said the alleged offenses took place between September 2011 and February 2019, when the former professor conducted 17 tendering and procurement exercises from the two companies.
However, he had direct or indirect financial interests with the two companies and he concealed it despite the university requiring him to declare his conflict of interest with any suppliers before engaging. Suppliers were required to do the same.
When the pharmaceutical was incorporated in mid-2012, Yeung Siu was its sole director and shareholder, while Au Yeung took over the position in late 2012.
ICAC said the former professor had allegedly conspired with either Au Yeung or Yeung Siu to defraud, inducing the university to engage with them in three of the 17 tendering and procurement exercises, enabling invoice settlement in full, including 14 other procurement exercises with the same suppliers.
The suppliers case is adjourned to October 27.
In a reply to The Standard, the university said it "issues internal e-mails to university staff from time to time to remind them to comply with the relevant policies and procedures." It added that it has zero tolerance toward corruption and fraudulent behavior and will render full assistance to the authorities on all investigations.
