The former kingpin of the junket sector, Alvin Chao Cheok Wa, has reportedly appealed against a decision by Macau’s lowest court to place him behind bars for 18 years after finding him guilty of over 160 counts of offences last month.
Chao, the former founder of Suncity Group that was dismantled in late 2021, was reported to have filed an appeal to overturn the Court of First Instance’s verdict yesterday, the last day of the appeal period in the case.
According to media reports, all the other 20 defendants involved in the case had also made a bid to challenge the judgement at the Court of Second Instance.
In the meantime, prosecutors had also reportedly taken the case further to thwart their bids.
According to local court rules, the accused will not have to appear in court again for a Court of Second Instance trial to begin if their appeals are accepted.
Apart from serving a lengthy jail term, the former members of the Suncity Group was ordered by presiding judge Lou Ieng Ha to pay the Macau government compensation of HK$6.52 billion (US$833 million/ MOP6.72 million) for causing levy losses.
Adding to the woes were attempts by the city’s major gaming operators, except Melco Resorts and Entertainment, at seeking compensation of over HK$2.15 billion in total.
