Next Media Li Zhiying and Next Media Group Executive Director Huang Weiqiang are suspected of violating the land lease by using the land valued at HK$516 million in the Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate, and concealing the owner of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park Company, so that the company related to Li Zhiying obtains rental benefits, and 2 people are charged with fraud , the case continues today (16th). Zhou Daquan, the chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Next Media, who was spun off from the case earlier, was exempted from the indictment and has now turned to a prosecution witness to testify in court.
Zhou Daquan was originally one of the defendants in this case. The prosecution had earlier applied to separate Zhou from the case and deal with it in another case, which was approved by the court. The reason was not explained at the time, but Zhou Jin was exempted from the indictment and appointed a prosecution witness to testify in court. The judge granted Zhou a special channel to enter and exit the courtroom, and said the court could arrange a witness room for Zhou to use during breaks if necessary. The judge also warned that anyone who contacts or influences witnesses in any form has a high chance of being criminally responsible for this. You can be fine, just say something.”
Zhou Daquan testified that he joined Next Media in 1993 as the chief financial officer, and his boss was Guo Hanji, then the chief financial officer, and his boss later became Ding Jiayu. Zhou pointed out that Lego Consultants Co., Ltd. (Lego) is Lai Zhiying’s private company, responsible for handling Lego’s vehicles, shipping and other matters, and Lego’s residence on Kadoorie Road is also handled by Lego. Funding and operational direction are all led by Li.
Zhou pointed out that Ligao transferred the registered address to the premises involved in the case in 1998. At that time, there was already a staff member handling the financial work of Ligao. Later, Ligao moved from the 1st floor of the premises involved to the 4th floor to work, and hired another employee due to business needs. several employees. Zhou Ligao’s company name did not appear on the “Water Sign”, and he did not know the reason. Zhou also confirmed that according to the instructions, he had served as Ligao’s secretary, and replaced his outgoing boss as a director, and held shares for Li in the form of trust to meet the requirements of the company regulations at that time, and the actual owner and decision maker was still Li. Zhou pointed out that Huang Weiqiang was the administrative director of Next Media Management Services Co., Ltd. at the time, but Huang also assisted in handling high-power administrative matters for a long time.
Zhou Xu pointed out that in addition to Huang Weiqiang, Next Media also has employees in the administrative department who have assisted in handling high-powered administrative matters. On the other hand, Huang’s affairs are usually reported to Mark Simon, Lai’s assistant, and asked for instructions from Mark Simon. In some major projects such as the maintenance of the residence on Lai Kadoorie Road, he will be consulted with him. As for other matters, we learned when signing the purchase requisition related to Ligao. Huang pointed out that Mark Simon is Ligao’s general manager. “The company knows that he is Li’s assistant, helper, and right-hand man.” He is in charge of Li’s personal affairs, and Mark Simon also reports to Li.
The defendants in this case are Lai Zhiying (74 years old) and Huang Weiqiang (60 years old), the two were charged with one count of fraud, alleging that the two together with Zhou Daquan and others, from January 2016 to May 19, 2020, to Hong Kong The Science and Technology Parks Corporation concealed the use of the premises at No. 8 Chun Ying Street, Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate without entering into a lease; and Lai Zai alone faced one more count of fraud, accusing him and others in April 1998. From the 1st to December 31st, 2015, he used the premises involved in the case without concealing the proposal and the lease agreement.
Case number: DCCC 349/2021
