Pius Chan (left), chief operator of InfoSpec Systems Inc., is seen here in an April 2011 photo with MLA John Yap (right) at a fundraiser for the Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps. InfoSpec was found guilty in June 2012 of one count of fraud over $5,000 and sentenced to a $100,000 fine. (PHOTO SUBMITTED)

A Richmond computer company operated by a prominent businessman was stung with a $100,000 fine after the court found it supplied “zapper” transaction eraser tools for restaurants to commit tax evasion.

A B.C. Supreme Court judge found Pius Chan, chief operator of InfoSpec Systems Inc., was the “directing mind” of a fraudulent operation selling the devices to two Winnipeg restaurants.

The Shell Road company was found guilty last month on one count of fraud over $5,000 and sentenced Friday.

“Mr. Chan was also careful in concealing his involvement by insisting that the payment be made in cash and that there would be no receipt provided,” the judge wrote about the Winnipeg cases.

A Canada Revenue Agency audit for a further 14 restaurants, to which a former InfoSpec employee sold the devices, found $3.4 million in lost taxation between 2000 and 2008.

The “zappers” are programs designed to “delete or alter” restaurant transactions, allowing businesses to pocket cash sales without declaring revenue.

The court found the devices were sold for $1,500, along with a legitimate accounting program and support-services package.

Chan, current president of the Chinese Federation of Commerce of Canada, is a former Richmond Chamber of Commerce director.

CFCC vice president Hans Wong said Monday the board was not aware of the case.

“It’s a personal private business, the association is not involved. We are not in a position to comment,” he told 24 hours.

“I have to go to the board first, to see what it’s all about, before we will work a public announcement.”

According to the CRA, Vancouver restaurateur Woei Kwong Teo was fined $142,934 and ordered to serve 20 months house arrest in 2010 after the agency found information linking the Honjin Sushi operator to the case.

Neither Chan nor Teo could be reached for comment Monday.

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