Society

Feng shui master on forgery accusations

By Guo Jiaxue (HK Edition)
Updated: 2011-05-27 06:18

Tony Chan arrives in a police car at the Eastern Magistrates' Court on Thursday. Mike Clarke / AFP

Fung shui master to face trial on two offenses connected to Wang probate battle

The Commercial Crime Bureau on Thursday morning, after a delay of 15 months, swooped down and arrested fung shui master Tony Chan, accusing him of forging the will he used to support his claim to the HK$100 billion estate of the late property tycoon Nina Wang.

The 51-year-old Chan was formally charged with two crimes: forgery and using a false instrument.

Chan has been on police bail of HK$5 million since losing the case in which he sought Wang's billions in High Court.

The bail was to expire in July.

Police said in a statement that the charges were laid "after extensive police investigation and having sought advice from the Department of Justice".

Chan was later granted bail of HK$20 million cash, pending enquiry.

He must surrender all travel documents and report to the police twice a week.

His brother also posted a bond of HK$20 million.

Owing to the large amount of the bail, the court permitted Chan to pay HK$3 million in cash on Thursday, with the remainder due before 4 pm on Friday.

The prosecution opposed bail, arguing that Chan has ample opportunity to leave Hong Kong.

Chan is now involved in multiple court cases.

He has many overseas assets and a daughter in the United Kingdom.

Chan's lawyer countered that the accused had behaved well during the duration of his police bond, commencing in February 2010.

Chan was brought to the Eastern Magistrates' Court on Thursday afternoon. No plea was taken.

The case will be continued on July 8.

Hong Kong tycoon Nina Wang and Chan Chun-chuen are shown in this undated handout provided in 2007 by Chan's lawyer Jonathan Midgley. Chan, the ex-lover and feng shui master of late Hong Kong billionaire Nina Wang, was formally charged by police on Thursday, May 26, 2011, with forgery of a will he claimed entitled him to the heiress' huge estate.[Photo/Agencies]

The two charges deepened the difficulties for the fung shui master.

He had been to High Court on Wednesday, seeking a judicial review of the demand by the Inland Revenue Department for HK$340 million in unpaid taxes.

Chan has also gone to the Court of Final Appeal, the city's highest court, to appeal against lower court's decision that denied his claim to the Wang Estate.

The hearing of that case is set for October 24.

Chan revealed on Wednesday that he was unable to find a lawyer to represent him at his appeal.

Chan still insisted that the 2006 will that he presented for probate to claim Wang's billions is genuine.

The High Court referred to the document as a "clever forgery".

Chan has stated openly before the media on several occasions that he is under intense pressure both emotionally and financially.

China Daily

(HK Edition 05/27/2011 page1)