Closing arguments were made on Wednesday in the case against Levo Chan, with the former CEO of Tak Chun Group apologizing to the staff and their families who were impacted by the incident.
Wearing a black suit and speaking freely, Chan chose not to remain silent as the trial wound down, instead stating, “Tak Chun is not a triad group and has contributed to the gaming industry in Macau over the years.
“From an unknown company with a few dozen employees, Tak Chun grew to become one of Macau’s leading gaming junkets, making it possible for the company to grow to its present size thanks to the liberalization of Macau’s gambling rights and the country’s support for Macau’s development.
“I wouldn’t say that Tak Chun has contributed massively to Macau’s society and economy, but for more than a decade, the Macau gaming industry has contributed to the society and economy, and Tak Chun has helped in that.
“All of us at Tak Chun are committed to the community. We have set up a charitable association and we allocate money to charity every year. We help people in the mountains in remote cities in mainland China by building schools for them. Our staff bring supplies to visit students in the mountains every year. All of this means that people at Tak Chun are good-spirited and fulfilling our corporate social responsibility.”
Chan also denied Tak Chun was a triad organization, arguing that the group’s employees were everyday citizens.
“I don’t agree with the triad accusation,” he continued. “All the staff in the case are innocent, they are just workers and they work hard. Many of them are the breadwinners of their families, the dutiful children of their parents.
“The staff who joined Tak Chun were not triad members. During the trial, I understand that their families have been under a lot of pressure and I really feel sorry for them. I am sorry to them.”
Chan even choked up at one point while discussing his own family.
“I have a 90-year-old father, and I heard from my family that my father often shed tears alone in his room,” he said.
“I have two young children who often ask why their father hasn’t come home for so long. I hope the judge understands that Tak Chun is not a criminal gang and I hope that the judge will find out the truth, give a fair verdict and acquit me and my staff.”
