Offer To The CEO

Friday, continued …

"Sir, please accept my apologies in that I cannot stand up."

"Madam Hou I have heard the medical evidence, and there is no need to apologise."

"Sir, I have offered to hand to Mr Lu the laptop on Monday. While it was a laptop provided to me by my employers, I can obtain a replacement laptop easily. All I am asking for it time to remove my personal files and anything from the laptop associated with my employment. To ensure that the work programs are properly removed, I have to consult with the IT department at my employers, and given the time difference they will not be available until Monday morning."

Lu Jinhu immediately stood up "Sir, it has to be returned as is. Nothing removed, nothing altered."

"Mr Lu, you were not given permission to address the court. Sit down."

"Well she is having her say, I need the laptop as is for the purposes I need it."

"Mr Lu, sit down now, or I will have you remanded over the weekend and add new charges."

"Sir, two days are not going to make a difference. It he is that concerned, I will simply copy my personal data off, it can stay, but I do not know why that will be important. All I am asking for is time to remove my employers data from the laptop."

"Sir, it has to come as is. I need the laptop as is."

"Mr Lu that is it. This is your final opportunity. Sit down and be quiet or you will be removed and I will have additional charges added to those you are facing."

"Madam Hou, can you not leave the laptop as is?"

"Sir, the data that I am seeking to remove relates to my employer's clients. Legally, I am obliged to ensure that their data is protected, and if I fail it breaches my obligations to them, the courts, and my registration as a lawyer in Australia. For almost a month Mr Lu has insisted that the laptop is his property and he needs it immediately."

"Despite it being my employer's laptop, all I am asking for it the opportunity to remove protected client information and programs, as well as my personal information. I am suspecting that Mr Lu wants access to the laptop as is to access the client information and financial records."

"Over the last few months my employers have suspected that he has been illegally accessing data on my laptop, and transferring small amounts of money from client accounts to accounts that he controls. Apparently this has stopped since my marriage as Mr Lu has not had easy access to the laptop. If the laptop is immediately handed over, it creates the potential that this will continue. If the laptop is that important to him, removal of those programs properly is not going to matter and he can wait a couple of days for the laptop."

"Mr Lu, I see no issue in that. Madam Hou is being quite reasonable to seek to remove her employer's information and her personal records before handing over the laptop. She has until Monday when we are back here to do so, and she must hand it over at that time regardless of whether the information and data is removed. What do you say?"

"That ruins the laptop. As require it exactly as it is and removing programs makes it useless."

"Sir, before you say everything, Mr Lu's attitude supports the view my employers are forming about Mr Lu's illegally accessing client data and transferring client funds to a personal account. If he receives it as is now, they suspect it will continue again, I also, if you have no objections inform my employers as to his comments."

"Not a problem Madam Hou. Please have the laptop ready to hand to Mr Lu on Monday when we return."

In observing Lu JInhu and Yang Lin Anna realised she had deduced their real reason for requiring the laptop. Would they take it on Monday? Unlikely as removing the programs will make it useless to them.

"Yes Sir."

"I need to ask Ms Jones a question."

[translated question] "Ms Jones, a request has been made that Madam Hou be on crutches within the court and the court precinct with this matter on Monday. Is that possible."

"Sir she will only be on crutches for a hour in total on Monday. Given the uneven ground outside and if the press numbers remain the same, a knock could cause more injury. However those concerns would not exist inside the court room, and she can sit in the wheelchair if not coping. the nurse with her on Monday should make the call as to what is appropriate for her." [response translated]