Li Zhiying's former high-level Next Media tainted witness in the fraud case points to Mark Simon's instructions

Li Zhiying, founder of Next Media, and Huang Weiqiang, the group's executive director, have continued their trial in the case of defrauding the Science and Technology Park Company. They were originally charged in the same case. As evidence of his identity, Zhou claimed that Ligao Consultants Co., Ltd., which was accused of violating the lease agreement to set up an office in the Apple Building, was Li's private company. In addition to managing Li's mansion and yacht, Ligao's subsidiaries also made investments. But it does not involve any printing business.

He also revealed that Lai's personal assistant, Mark Simon, also helped with Ligao's affairs, and he would also receive instructions from Mark and Lai.

Before Zhou Daquan was summoned to appear in court, Judge Chen Guangchi said in court that no one should contact or influence witnesses in any way, otherwise "criminal intimidation may result in minor cases, and judicial justice may be obstructed in severe cases."

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Zhou uses special access to enter courtroom

Zhou used a special channel to enter and exit the courtroom, and was accompanied by staff of the Judiciary in the witness room during meals and adjournment.

When he appeared in court, he first confirmed that he had received a waiver of prosecution and confessed that Ligao Consultants Co., Ltd. was Li's private company. Li's residence in Kadoorie Hill was also rented in the name of Ligao, and Ligao would deal with it separately. Vehicle and boat maintenance matters, and has subsidiaries to carry out various investments, and these assets, investments and subsidiaries are all owned by Lei.

Mark Simon has the power to handle high business

Zhou Xu pointed out that in 1998, Lego transferred its registered address to No. 8, Chun Ying Street, Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate. Later, because Lego hired more staff from the accounting department, the office moved from the first floor to the fourth floor. Assistant Mark Simon and the second defendant, Huang Weiqiang, both assisted in handling Ligao's affairs.

Zhou also said that between 1996 and 2020, he served as a director of Lego twice because Lego needed two shareholders.

Receive instructions directly from Mark and Lai

As for Huang's work in Ligao for more than 10 years, he is responsible for handling administrative matters. Sometimes he receives instructions directly from Mark Simon or Li Zhong. If Li's residence or vehicles and boats need repairs, Huang will assist in handling them.

Zhou also said that he did not know whether Ligao had 32 employees, but only knew that those employed included drivers, captains, crew members and domestic helpers.

Two defendants: Lai Zhiying (74 years old) and Huang Weiqiang (60 years old).

The two were jointly charged with one count of fraud, alleging that between January 1, 2016 and May 19, 2020, they, Zhou Daquan and others concealed the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, alleging that they were located at 8 Chun Ying Street, Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate. Apple Building, without breaching the lease dated May 25, 1999; with intent to defraud and induce Science and Technology Park Corporation not to enforce its rights under the lease, resulting in the benefits of Apple Daily Printing Co., Ltd. and Lego Consultants Co., Ltd.; Or make science and technology park company suffer disadvantage.

Jimmy Lai was also charged with one count of fraud, alleging that from April 1, 1998 to December 31, 2015, he concealed the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation from others, and failed to comply with the proposal plan and rent of October 24, 1995. The lease agreement, and the lease dated May 25, 1999, use the premises; benefit Apple Daily Printing Co., Ltd. and Lego Consultants Co., Ltd.; and may cause harm to Science and Technology Park Corporation.

Case number: DCCC349/2021

Li zhiying's fraudulent technology park case assistant Mark Simon once communicated that he would move out of a related company in Li Zhiying's fraud-related science park, and asked whether the Apple Building violated the contract. About 20 days after the trial began, Jimmy Lai and He Guilan were sentenced to prison for the June 4 rally case and appealed the conviction and sentence