Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has
arrested 47 people for alleged bribery in relation to food supplies
to hotels, restaurants and private clubs and a department store's
food section, the ICAC said Tuesday.
Those arrested include 22 food-buying and cooking staff from
seven hotels, nine restaurants, four private clubs and a department
store. Another 21 food suppliers and their staff, and four other
people, were also arrested.
The anti-graft body received complaints late last year.
Investigations revealed that some food suppliers had formed a
coterie and established a close and long-term relationship with
some food-buying staff and cooks.
The food suppliers and their staff offered bribes to the
food-buying staff and cooks in return for getting food orders. The
buying staff and cooks also accepted inflated and faked bills. The
ICAC estimates the total bribe money involved may exceed one
million HK dollars (128,205 U.S. dollars).
The arrested people have been released on bail. Investigations
are underway.
(Xinhua News Agency May 9, 2007)