Six people charged by the ICAC for alleged fraud over the awarding of over $1.8 million in information technology projects commissioned by the Transport Department, appeared in Eastern Magistracy Friday.

The defendants were Chau Chuk-keung, 44, and Law Cheuk-ling, 49, both Electrical & Mechanical Services Department engineers; Tse Wan-man, 34, former chief executive officer of Alfacom Solutions; Pang Hok-ko, 47, chief executive officer of Alfacom; To King-yu, 43, financial controller of Alfacom; and Leung Pak-chung, 34, technical manager of Alfacom. The company is a provider of IT services.

The defendants denied three counts of conspiracy to defraud the Government. Magistrate David Thomas adjourned the case to July 2 for mention. The defendants were each granted $10,000 bail.

They were arrested by the ICAC during a corruption inquiry last year. One of the charges allege Chau, Law, Pang, To and Leung conspired together and with another person to defraud the Government.

It is alleged they dishonestly caused bogus quotations to be submitted to the department in respect of a Government contract for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning, warranty and maintenance of the Vehicle Examination Booking Status Display System.

Chau and Tse face a similar joint charge over a Government contract for a computer system at the Ho Man Tin Driving Test Centre. Law, Pang and Leung further face a similar offence in respect of a Government contract for a Taxi Inspection Control System.

The alleged offences occurred between February 2001 and 2003.

ICAC enquiries found Alfacom was awarded two of the three contracts, worth more than $1.1 million.