Kitchenware supplier charged by ICAC for bribing Chinese restaurant manager over orders with kickback

A kitchenware supplier was charged by the ICAC today (January 27) for allegedly bribing a purchasing manager of a Chinese restaurant with a kickback amounting to 15 per cent of the value of the kitchenware orders placed with the supplier.

Lai Yahao, 55, proprietor of Chuk Chin Stainless Steel Equipment Company Limited (Chuk Chin), faces one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(b) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. She was released on ICAC bail, pending her appearance at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday (January 29) for plea.

The charge alleges that on December 25, 2022, the defendant offered a bribe of about $12,000 to a purchasing manager of Fook Lam Moon Group (Fook Lam Moon) for causing Fook Lam Moon to place kitchenware orders with Chuk Chin.

At the material time, Chinese restaurant operator Fook Lam Moon was planning to open a branch in Kowloon Bay and its purchasing manager placed various orders with Chuk Chin. Upon receipt of a corruption complaint, an investigation by the ICAC revealed that the defendant had allegedly offered a kickback to the purchasing manager of Fook Lam Moon in relation to three of the orders, calculated at 15 per cent of the order value, which was about $12,000.

Fook Lam Moon rendered assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.