Li Zhiying's case of defrauding the science and technology park, Li pleaded, saying that he was not involved in violating integrity and sentencing on the 10th of next month

Li Zhiying, the founder of Next Media, and Huang Weiqiang, the former executive director, were accused of violating the lease agreement, allowing Lego Consulting Company, which Li used to handle his affairs with his family, to set up an office in the Apple Building in the Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate. The two were earlier convicted of defrauding technology Park company guilty.

The two pleaded in the District Court today (24th), and the lawyer representing Lai pointed out that Lai relied on personal efforts and perseverance to start a family from scratch, and founded Next Media and "Apple Daily", which played an important role in Hong Kong's media development and history.

The lawyer also pointed out that the fraud involved in the case is not sophisticated, but just to facilitate the work between Apple and Lego, and there is no monetary motive, and believes that the case does not involve a violation of integrity.

The case was adjourned until December 10 for sentencing, during which Huang Weiqiang was released on bail, while Li Zhiying had to continue to be released.

The defense believes that it is only a breach of contractual responsibility

Judge Chen Guangchi questioned whether this case was a breach of integrity during the hearing. Senior counsel Chen Zhenglong, who represented Li Zhiying (74 years old), believed that the relationship between the science park and Apple Printing Company is the lessee and the lessee, and they belong to two businesses. Therefore, the lessee is only responsible for breaching the contract, not the responsibility for good faith.

Regarding the disqualification order under the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance, Chen also pointed out that Lai is 74 years old, and it is unlikely that he will be involved in the company's operations again, so it is unrealistic to consider a disqualification order.

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Lai had no higher education but started a family from scratch

Chen Zhenglong pleaded that Li Zhiying had never received higher education.

He immigrated to Hong Kong from Guangdong in 1965 and worked in a glove factory before founding Giordano.

After selling Giordano in 1990, he switched to the media business and successively founded "Next Magazine" and "Apple Daily", gradually turning them into the best-selling newspapers in Hong Kong.

Apart from the more controversial parts in recent years, "Apple Daily" plays an important role in Hong Kong's media development and history. For example, Lai developed "One Animation" in 2012, which was completely new at the time.

Chen concluded that Jimmy Lai is an entrepreneur who built his family from scratch with his hard work and perseverance.

Lego offices occupy less building area

In terms of sentencing considerations, Chen pointed out that Lego actually occupied only 0.1% of the total area of ​​the building, so even if Apple Printing Company breached the contract, its main business is publishing, which is generally in line with the idea of ​​developing local enterprises.

The degree of deceit is not self-sophisticated

Chen Xu pointed out that Lego's address has always been clearly stated in the industrial estate, and Apple Printing also collected rent from Lego, which is a connected transaction, so it is also recorded in the relevant documents.

Chen therefore accepted that the defendant had breached the contract for 20 years, but the degree was not very serious. The fraud involved in the case was not sophisticated or complicated. It was mainly for the convenience of work between Lego and Apple, not for monetary motives. At that time, it was not possible that the breach of contract would lead to criminal charges.

Chen finally pointed out that the defendant admitted most of the facts of the case before the trial, saving court time and hoping to get a light sentence as much as possible.

Chen Guan was concerned that Li Yifang did not submit any intercession letter. Chen Zhenglong said that he did not make any further submissions, but agreed with Chen Guan's statement that an intercession letter was not needed under this circumstance.

Defendant Huang Weiqiang (Lan Fengke) pleaded that he was just following the instructions of his superiors.

(Photo by Zheng Zifeng)

Huang pleaded that he had no decision-making power in the company

Senior barrister Huang Peiqi pleaded for Huang Weiqiang, saying that Huang has no decision-making, financial and management rights in the company, and acts according to the instructions of the consortium and superiors. He is not the mastermind of the case and has not obtained personal benefits from it.

The barrister also pointed out that Huang Weiqiang is diligent and frugal, and he is dedicated to his duties. He has devoted half his life to "Next Media", and he is described as a model employee.

Hearing-impaired

The barrister later revealed that today is Huang Weiqiang’s 61st birthday. He was born in a grassroots family and has hearing impairment. A large computer degree has made up for its congenital deficiencies with multiple efforts and perseverance.

Prisoners with less than 30% hearing will face great difficulties

The barrister also mentioned that Huang's personal physical and mental conditions are very worthy of the court's sympathy.

First of all, Huang has undergone a major heart surgery at the end of 2020. The doctor pointed out that there is a risk of recurrence and deterioration, and he must be monitored and evaluated regularly. In addition, Huang also underwent bilateral cochlear implants in the past. Can only hear 27% of dialogue clearly.

Therefore, if he is under the supervision of absolute obedience to orders, he will inevitably encounter great difficulties during his imprisonment. I hope the court can handle it in a lenient manner.

The barrister finally pointed out that since 2021, Huang has become confused, depressed and anxious. He has undergone cochlear and heart surgery, was arrested, and his wife was admitted to the hospital after a stroke. Monitor emotions.

Huang has been arrested for more than two years now, and he has endured great suffering and distress. If he is finally sentenced to imprisonment, Huang's mental condition will deteriorate sharply.

Under such circumstances, the barrister believes that regardless of Huang's guilt and reasons for pleading, it is enough for the court to handle the case with a suspended sentence as appropriate.

Lai was found guilty of two counts

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

The two were jointly charged with one count of fraud, alleging that from January 1, 2016 to May 19, 2020, they, together with Zhou Daquan and others, concealed the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, referring to the Apple at No. 8 Chunying Street, Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate. Building, did not violate the lease signed on May 25, 1999; intended to defraud and induce the Science and Technology Park Corporation to not perform the rights under the lease, resulting in the benefit of Apple Daily Printing Co., Ltd. and Lego Consulting Co., Ltd.; or To the detriment of the Science and Technology Park Corporation.

Both were found guilty.

Li Zhiying was also charged with one count of fraud, alleging that from April 1, 1998 to December 31, 2015, he and others concealed the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park Corporation, and failed to comply with the proposal plan and lease agreement dated October 24, 1995. Lease agreement, and the lease signed on May 25, 1999, to use the relevant premises; to benefit Apple Daily Printing Co., Ltd. and Lego Consulting Co., Ltd.; and to detriment to Science Park Corporation.

Lai was also convicted of this offence.

Case number: DCCC 349/2021

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