He had begun the trial - relating to alleged bribes of US $2.5 million over the La Scala project in Macau - with lawyers Leong Weng Pun and Lee Kam Iut representing him. But this week, a new lawyer, David Azevedo Gomes, appeared in court in their place. When he asked for a delay in order to review documents, the judge refused. The trial has already been delayed. 

Different opinions

No explanation was given in court for the change. But the Macau Business Daily quoted sources saying that there were 'different opinions' between the tycoon's legal teams in Hong Kong and Macau. Another sources said it was 'not uncommon' for lawyers to be changed by the defendants mid-trial.