Latin Dance Enthusiast Wins Case Against Teachers

GoldFinger

7 September 2006

Mimi Monica Wong, head of HSBC's private banking unit in Asia, has won a Hong Kong lawsuit seeking the return of HK$60 million ($7.7 million) in fees she paid in advance for Latin dance lessons. Ms Wong had sued her Latin dance teacher Mirko Saccani and his wife Gaynor Fairweather, for the return of the fees, part of a HK$120 million advance payment, after he allegedly humiliated her publicly during a practice session in August 2004. Lawyers for the dance teachers said jealousy and an emotional breakdown had led Ms Wong to plan an “exit strategy” for the return of the money after she found the audience's attention and applause were focused on another dancing couple at the practice session, according to local press reports. Ms Wong, who agreed to pay the HK$120 million to the couple for eight years of unlimited dance lessons and competitions from 2004, has said she continues to be passionate about Latin dance and now has a new teacher. GoldFinger understands that Ms Wong has negotiated slightly lower fees for her dancing lessons this time round.