Macau’s Court of First Instance announced Thursday that it would deliver its verdict in the trial of former Suncity Group CEO Alvin Chau on 18 January.

In his final statement in court, Chau expressed his “deepest apologies” to all staff and their families affected by the arrest and prosecution of himself and 20 other Suncity associates.

However, he denied that Suncity was a triad or criminal syndicate.

“We have been operating in Macau for more than 10 years and have VIP rooms all over the world, but we have not received any complaints or reports over the years, so I don’t know why we have suddenly become a criminal syndicate,” he said.