$800,000 Petty Cash Swindle | South China Morning Post
By James H. Sterling
A SOLICITOR'S clerk who made false petty cash claims over a two-year period deceived his firm out of more than $800,000, the District Court was told yesterday.
Prosecutor Duncan Percy said Cheung Sze-tsung joined law firm Baker and McKenzie in 1988. In 1989, he was given the task of arranging travel visas for clients and overseas lawyers.
The court heard it was usual practice for Cheung, 25, to pay for the visa first then reclaim up to $500 using petty cash claims forms.
Between May 1992 and January 1994, Cheung made 10 false claims for $460. Mr Percy said these were only sample charges and the total amount involved was $823,000.
Although the chits were signed by a lawyer, the justifications for expenditure were false, he said.
Cheung yesterday pleaded guilty to 10 counts of obtaining property by deception, totalling $4,600.
Judge McMahon adjourned sentencing until April 13 and remanded Cheung in custody, awaiting background reports.
James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.
