Former Suncity Group CEO Alvin Chau, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison by the Macau Court of First Instance last month, has appealed against the verdict, while the Macau Prosecutor’s Office has also lodged an appeal in the case.
According to TDM Portuguese, Chau’s appeal was due on Tuesday 7 February and his lawyer filed the appeal with the court before the deadline.
It is understood that some of the 12 others sentenced have also lodged appeals, including Si Tou Chi Hou, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison, and Cheung Yat Ping Ellute, who was sentenced to 15 years.
Chau was arrested by the Macau Judicial Police in November 2021 and transferred to Coloane Prison to await trial for alleged criminal association, illegal gambling and money laundering.
He was convicted by the Macau Court of First Instance on 18 January of a number of offences, including 103 counts of illegal gambling in a licensed area, 54 counts of fraud, and illegal gambling.
There were 21 defendants in the case, 13 of whom were convicted and four of whom had their cases suspended. Eight of the defendants, including Chau, were sentenced to 10 years or more in prison.
In the civil claim, Chau, Ali Celestino, Cheong Chi Kin, Cheong Chi Kin, Lou Seak Fong, Wong Pak Ling Philip and Leong Su Weng were ordered to pay a combined HK$6.5 billion (US$831 million) in damages to the Macau SAR Government. They are also required to pay compensation to five concessionaires: Wynn Macau, Galaxy Entertainment Group, MGM China, Sands China and SJM Resorts.
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