An Oakland man who bribed a police officer for protection received a life sentence Wednesday in the execution style killing of a couple, including a known Chinese underworld gangster, reports the Mercury News.
Prosecutors convicted Wing Wo Ma of killing Jim Tat Kong and Cindy Bao Feng Chen-shooting them in the back of the head over failed investments.
Ma had apparently borrowed money from Kong, according to CBS5. He shot them as he sat in the back seat of a minivan as they drove to a pot grow Ma had invested in with the borrowed money.
For years , Ma lived under the protection of a disgraced Oakland Police Officer who he bribed. Authorities say Ma contacted that officer, Harry Hu, to find out what police knew about the killing.
“Since at least 2008, Ma bribed Hu with airfare for multiple trips to Las Vegas, free accommodation at high-end suites and hotel rooms at Las Vegas casinos, meals and entertainment in Las Vegas and San Francisco, female hostesses at private room bars in Las Vegas and San Francisco, music concert tickets, use of a new Mercedes Benz, and labor for the remodel of Hu’s personal residence,” the Justice Department said.
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Hu is accused of trying to mislead investigators by withholding information about Ma’s involvement.
Hu testified against Ma in the trial as part of a plea deal.
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