Ho denies outsourcing contracts to appointed parties

Ho Chio Meng

Former Prosecutor General Ho Chio Meng denied his involvement in the opening of ten shelf companies with his brothers and a few other relatives, as well as in the contract that the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) had outsourced to those companies and to other entities. Ho’s denials came yesterday morning during the third session of the trial.

The prosecutors questioned Ho about whether he had knowledge of his older brother running a business on the same floor upon which the MP rented office space. Ho denied having knowledge of its existence.

The prosecutors observed again that, on this same floor, the MP’s office was located on one side while his brother’s offices were located on another. They questioned Ho, in view of this observation, whether he knew that his brother was operating the companies, which Ho denied, saying “I know nothing about his [his brother’s] affairs.”

The prosecutors then pointed out that Ho’s previous driver, as well as his brother-in-law, had both visited the aforementioned companies’ offices, and stated that these people had maintained close relationships with Ho. In turn, Ho, maintaining his stance, denied his knowledge of these shelf companies.

In the initial two and half hours, the trial focused on Ho’s knowledge of the existence of these companies, as well as on his relationship with a number of key people, such as the property owner. The allegations of knowledge of the companies’ operations and these relationships were denied by Ho.

After a 15-minute break, upon resuming session the court moved attention to the contracts outsourced to shelf companies.

According to the indictment, 24 types of contracts or services, consisting of more than 1,300 items, including those outsourced to the ten shelf companies with Ho’s approval, are questionable. The indictment also states that Ho instructed his subordinates to outsource the services to specific companies or to appointed contractors. Moreover, the indictment listed that approximately 930 items were given approval by Ho, including those concerning small amounts of money of around several thousand patacas.

Ho admitted that he signed his name to the contracts, despite having denied the allegations.

“I never instructed [anyone], there is no need to appoint, [and] it was impossible to appoint,” said Ho, who explained that he never assigned certain contracts to be outsourced to specific groups. Ho reminded the court that all contracts must go through an examination session, which makes it impossible to select specific companies.

Judge Sam Hou Fai said that the MP did not even receive services provided by some of these numerous contracts. Sam questioned Ho about whether he knew of such facts. Ho replied saying “[I] don’t know whether they provided services or not,” adding that he was not aware of any operation.

Ho then explained that the names of individual persons or companies were not disclosed on the documents which were handed to him for his signature by his subordinates, and hence he did not know who was behind the documents.

Sam pointed out that some of the contracts included expenses incurred by people who were not directly affiliated with the MP, including ten women. The records show that MP paid for hotels and flights to these women. At the same time, there are cross-border and flight records for Ho.

Ho claimed that he did not know those people that Sam had  mentioned.

Assistant Prosecutor Kuok Un Man then asked Ho whether he had asked his subordinates to draft contract proposals or did they draft them independently, without his request. Ho told Kuok to not ask general questions, but to direct questions with respect to specific cases.

In 2008, the Financial Services Bureau (DSF) granted property to the MP that was forfeited to the government stockpile. However, the property has been renovated a number of times since. Kuok asked Ho whether he, in this specific case, was the one who gave instructions to carry out multiple renovations on the property.

Ho admitted that he was the one who gave directions to renovate the building. He further reaffirmed that his instruction was to “renovate the place until it’s capable of being occupied.” He denied having knowledge of the detailed renovation process.

After replying to Kuok’s interrogation, Ho requested more time to rest. In Ho’s words, his “physical condition has deteriorated recently.” He claimed that he is unable to bear the hearings for too long.

Ho reaffirmed to Kuok, after addressing his health condition, that he is unaware of the details regarding the renovation, and does not know why multiple renovations were required.

Since Ho said he was not feeling well, Justice Sam halted proceedings.

The next trial session is scheduled for tomorrow.