Macau’s Court of Final Appeal has upheld the prison sentences related to the Suncity Group case.
The panel of judges rejected the appeals filed by nine of the defendants, including Alvin Chau – former head of Macau’s top junket operator, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
The remaining sentences range from nine to twelve and a half years.
The amount the defendants will jointly pay to the Macau government is set at MOP24.8 billion ($3.1 billion), related to proceeds allegedly obtained through illegal gambling operations.
The court also denied the appeals submitted by the defendants concerning fraud and money laundering charges.
Meanwhile, the prosecution’s request for a harsher sentence has been denied.
Alvin Chau, well known as the junket king, built his VIP business empire in the 2010s in Macau. He was arrested by Macau Judiciary Police in December 2021. Prosecutors charged Alvin Chau with 289 counts of fraud, money laundering, and illegal gambling.
