HK McDonald's head arrested over bribery

HONG KONG: US fast food giant McDonald's Hong Kong operations declined to comment on Tuesday on reports that its managing director has been arrested by graft busters over alleged bribery.   

Several Chinese-language newspapers reported that Joseph Lau has been arrested earlier this month for allegedly receiving bribes from food distributors which supply their products to restaurants across the city.   

Apple Daily said he has been suspended pending an investigation by officers from the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). But ICAC would not comment on the case.   

McDonald's Hong Kong headquarters declined to comment on the reports and would only say that the 47-year-old is currently on leave.   

According to the newspaper, Lau joined the fast food giant in 1983 and has worked in different branches around the world including Los Angeles, China and the Philippines. He took up the Hong Kong post in 2004.   

There are over 200 McDonald's restaurants in Hong Kong with more than 10,000 staff.