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Rafael Hui and Thomas Kwok

Rafael Hui and the Kwoks became friends in the 1980s as was common among government officials and the city’s tycoons.

Rafael Hui and the Kwoks became friends in the 1980s as was common among government officials and the city’s tycoons.

He travelled extensively, bought wine, spent HK$2 million (S$339,000) on classical music records over a few years and another HK$1 million on a high-end stereo. His collection grew so large that he stored them in three converted bedrooms in a rent-free apartment provided by the Kwoks.

He also spent as much as HK$8 million buying properties, handbags and watches for a mistress.

He supported his lifestyle with sweetheart loans from his friends and paid off only the interest. He borrowed about HK$30 million from the Bank of East Asia, which sued and bankrupted him last year.

Hui was given a secret payment from a Chinese official to encourage him to stay in his government post, after he revealed plans to join the private sector because of his financial problems.

Thomas Kwok was found guilty of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office as he paid Hui HK$8.5 million in bribes while the latter was preparing to take over the Chief Secretary post.

He also paid Hui HK$15 million a year for advisory services, which consisted of a few phone calls a week so Hui would not take up other job offers.

Kwok took over the company from his elder brother Walter in 2008. Mr Walter Kwok was kidnapped in 1997, leaving him disturbed and paranoid after his release. He was forced out of the family business by their mother who asked him to abandon his role at the firm or leave his mistress, whom they feared was trying to take over the business. Having lost his elder brother, Thomas Kwok relied on Hui for advice. BLOOMBERG

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