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.
The defense believes that it is only a breach of contractual responsibility
Judge Chen Guangchi questioned whether this case was a violation of good faith during the hearing. Senior counsel Chen Zhenglong representing Li Zhiying (74 years old) believed that the relationship between the Science Park and Apple Printing Company is the grantor and the lessee, which belong to two The operation of commercial organizations, so the lessee is only responsible for violating 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.
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
Li Zhiying case｜Zhou Daquan, a former senior executive of Next Media, may again testify against Li Guan, saying that Li Zhiying is involuntary in Jianghu Apple Building set up an office and failed to declare the crime of Li Zhiying's fraud case｜Former executives admitted that the Lego company involved in the case provided logistics services for the group. Jimmy Lai Case｜The Department of Justice's appeal to the Court of Final Appeal against Li Pin Tim Owen will be heard on Friday