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City Harvest Church founder faces the music

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City Harvest Church founder faces the music


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The Business Times
Wednesday, Jun 27, 2012

SINGAPORE - Alleged fake donations, tithe transfers and a hidden private fund.

A more than two-year inquiry into City Harvest Church (CHC) has uncovered financial irregularities of at least $23 million, with funds going to support the music career of Ho Yeow Sun, wife of CHC founder Kong Hee.

Five people including Mr Kong were arrested yesterday and will be charged in court today, said the police yesterday.

Ms Ho has not been charged but she is among eight people suspended by the Commissioner of Charities (COC) from holding any job or office at CHC.

COC started its probe on May 31, 2010 and unearthed financial irregularities which took place from 2007 to 2010.

At the heart of it all was a "crossover" project, aimed at using Ms Ho's secular music to connect with people and reach out to non-Christians.

"COC's inquiry revealed misconduct and mismanagement in the administration of the charity, particularly in relation to the funds that were in the building fund," COC said in a statement.

The building fund is meant for the purchase of properties for CHC, for renovation, hall rental and other building-related expenses.

Funds were used to finance Ms Ho's music career and "there was a concerted effort to conceal this movement of funds from its stakeholders".

Unknown to executive members, CHC's funds were going towards the project. Between December 2007 and May 2010, at least $2.1 million was transferred from CHC to an affiliated church, City Harvest Church Kuala Lumpur (CHCKL), under the guise of donations. CHCKL then transferred the funds to support the project in the United States.

There were also transfers of donations and tithes to CHC to a private fund known as the multi-purpose account (MPA), administered by the charity's ex-finance manager Serina Wee and the former personal assistant to Mr Kong, Jacqueline Tan.

Monies from the MPA then went to the project.

From April 2007 to March 2010, around $600,000 and $3 million was used for the purported expenses of Mr Kong and Ms Ho respectively.

Selected donors were asked to transfer contributions meant for another CHC campaign to the MPA.

Apart from this small group of members, no other members knew about the MPA.

There was even an attempt to hide its existence by closing the joint bank account and dealing only in cash, which was kept in a safe at CHC.

Apart from Mr Kong, those facing charges include CHC board chairman Lam Leng Hung, board vice-chairman Tan Ye Peng, investment manager Chew Eng Han and finance manager Sharon Tan.

All five have also been suspended from holding any office at CHC along with Ms Ho and executive members Kelvin Teo and Jacqueline Tan.

It is alleged that around April 2009, Mr Tan, Mr Chew, Ms Wee and Ms Sharon Tan also came up with a plan to transfer a $600,000 donation to CHC's building fund to the MPA, via a "refund" of building fund donations.

The crossover project needed money, which included US$100,000 to get a media team to publicise Ms Ho's music career in the US.

CHC drafted letters from the donor and another person, indicating that their donations were meant for specific pastors and employees of CHC as love gifts.

The pastors and employees were to receive the "refund" and deposit them into the MPA. Evidence suggested that the "refund" letters were backdated.

There were also schemes to avoid the disclosure of related-party transactions. Between 2006 and 2008, Mr Kong's company sold over $3 million of merchandise to CHC, but he did not reveal his interest.

In 2008, he "refunded" royalties of around $770,000 to CHC, concealed as a sales discount to CHC.

Subsequently though, MPA and CHCKL reimbursed Mr Kong for the purported refunds.

His "refunds" were therefore cosmetic, COC said.

COC flagged other governance and control issues which helped CHC to maintain the above-mentioned activities for three years.

Evidence suggested that certain CHC board members were "less than prudent" in the discharge of their duties towards the church and its members, COC said.

For instance, the appointment of Mr Chew's investment company was not properly tabled and discussed by the board.

When Mr Chew suffered financial difficulties, CHC refunded donations of about $338,000 to him in two tranches.

But the board approved one of them only nine months after the refunds were made.

COC said it will consider taking further action under the Charities Act against the eight individuals it suspended to protect the charitable property of CHC.

As for the five facing charges under the Penal Code, the potential penalties are substantial.

All five will be charged with conspiracy to commit criminal breach of trust as an agent under Section 409 read with Section 109.

Those found guilty under Section 409 "shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 20 years, and shall also be liable to fine", according to the Penal Code.

Mr Tan, Mr Chew and Ms Sharon Tan will also be charged with conspiracy to commit falsification of accounts under Section 477A.

"I would like to stress that the charges filed by CAD are against five individuals from the City Harvest Church (CHC) regarding the use of church funds. They are not filed against CHC itself. CHC is free to continue its church services and activities," said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean yesterday.

Yesterday's developments again shone the spotlight on governance standards in the charity sector.

"The Charities Act, Regulations and Code of Governance are reviewed periodically," COC told BT.

"For example, the Code of Governance for Charities and Institutions of a Public Character was most recently reviewed last year. A current priority is to ensure that the charities are able to meet the recently revised good governance code and practices."

National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre CEO Laurence Lien said that most charities practise good governance. "What is perhaps more critical though is good leadership and planned leadership succession."
 

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title_03.jpg


For two years, from 2010, the Commissioner of Charities (COC) and the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) conducted a concurrent investigation and inquiry into suspected financial irregularities inside the City Harvest church.

On June 26, 2012, five of its leaders, including founder Kong Hee, were arrested over alleged misuse of church funds and alleged breaches under charity laws.

The COC revealed that financial irregularities of at least $23 million from the charity's funds have been discovered which it said were used with the purported intention to finance Ho Yeow Sun's secular music career to connect with people.

42-year-old pop singer Ho Yeow Sun, also known as Sun Ho, is Kong Hee's wife.

The five arrested were charged in court on Wednesday, June 27.

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City Harvest church founder, 4 others charged


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AsiaOne
Wednesday, Jun 27, 2012

City Harvest church founder Kong Hee and four other church leaders were charged in court Wednesday morning for conspiracy to commit criminal breach of trust as an agent.

Kong, who arrived in court at close to 9am today, was seen with wife Sun Ho.

A large crowd of about 200 supporters were seen outside the subordinate court before the hearing began at 9am.

This is the biggest case involving misconduct at a registered charity in Singapore.

Church funds amounting to at least $23 million were allegedly used to fund the secular music career of Kong's wife, pop singer Ho.

The case has been under investigation since 2010.

The others charged were: Tan Ye Peng, 39, vice-president of the church's management board; John Lam Leng Hung, 44, member of the management board; Chew Eng Han, in his 50s, the church's investment manager; and Sharon Tan Shao Yuen, 37, the church's finance manager.

The Straits Times reported that the five have been offered bail of $500,000 after their brief court appearance. Their passports were also impounded

Each of Kong's three criminal charges for committing criminal breach of trust as an agent carries the punishment of a life imprisonment term, or imprisonment for up to 20 years, and a fine.

John Lam also faced three similar charges.

Chew and Tan each faced 10 charges, six for criminal breach of trust and four for falsifying accounts whih draws the maximum 10-year jail term and/or fine.

Ms Tan was charged with four counts of falsifying accounts and three for committing criminal breach of trust as an agent.

They will return to court on July 25.
 

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Members worried as others rally behind leaders


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By Tong Jia Han

my paper
Wednesday, Jun 27, 2012

my paper spoke to five church members and, while all expressed support for their embattled leaders, at least one was worried that the church's reputation would be affected.

Ms She-ler Goh, 19, a Ngee Ann Polytechnic student, said: "This incident hasn't really affected me because I still believe in the church leaders and our church community."

A 22-year-old National University of Singapore undergraduate, who wants to be known only as Kenneth Y, said: "It may take some time for others to rebuild their trust in our church, but I believe that we will be able to regain their trust over time."

The other four arrested yesterday were deputy pastor and vice-president Tan Ye Peng; management-board member John Lam Leng Hung; investment manager Chew Eng Han; and finance manager Sharon Tan Shao Yuen. All five will be charged in court today.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Commissioner of Charities said it received in early 2010 "complaints alleging the misuse of the (church's) funds". It informed the Commercial Affairs Department which investigated the transactions.

The Commissioner's Inquiry discovered "financial irregularities of at least $23 million" from the church's funds and noted that "there was a concerted effort to conceal this movement of funds from its stakeholders".

The money was allegedly used to fund the Crossover Project, "with the purported intention to use Sun Ho's secular music to connect with people and reach out to non-Christians", it added. Sun Ho, also known as Ho Yeow Sun, is a singer and wife of Mr Kong.

Highlighting the church's "poor corporate governance", the Commissioner zeroed in on these areas: misrepresentation on the use of the church's funds; use of the funds to fund the Crossover Project; and schemes to avoid disclosure of related transactions.

Despite the charges against their leaders, church members told my paper that they would not be deterred from carrying out worship activities.

Kenneth Y said: "It doesn't change our faith or what we believe in."

Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, yesterday said in a statement that the charges filed are against the five leaders on the use of church funds, and not against the church itself.

He added that the church is free to continue its services and activities.

"As the matter is now before the courts, we should let the law take its course and avoid speculation or making pre-judgements that may unnecessarily stir up emotions," he said.

City Harvest Church became a registered charity in 1993. As of end-2009, its congregation numbered about 33,000 people.

Based on its financial statements for the financial year ended Oct 31, 2009, its income amounted to about $72 million, while expenses amounted to about $48 million. Its net assets are estimated to be worth $103 million.

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City Harvest case: Prosecutors reveal more


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City Harvest Church founder Kong Hee holds the hand of his wife as he exits the Subordinate Courts in Singapore.

AsiaOne
Wednesday, Jun 27, 2012

SINGAPORE - As City Harvest church founder Kong Hee and four other leaders went to court today to face charges of criminal breach of trust and falsifying accounts, prosecutors revealed more about the alleged misuse of the church's funds.

According to the Straits Times (ST), prosecutors believe that a total of $24 million was invested in alleged sham transactions to fund the pop music career of Kong's wife, Sun Ho.

The funds were said to have been put into a $13 million bond investment with Xtron Productions, while $11 million was allegedly put into another company called PT The First National Glassware.

Deputy Public Prosecutors Christopher Ong and Grace Goh told the court that some of the accused were also believed to have conspired to misappropriate another $26.6 million of church funds so that it would seem like the alleged sham bond investments were redeemed. This is called 'round-tripping'.

"It is the Prosecution's case that these further monies were circulated... to create the false appearance that the purported sham bond investments had been redeemed, when in fact the 'redemption' had been financed using these further monies misappropriated from church funds," they said.

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Supporters shield Kong Hee and argue with media outside courts


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AsiaOne
Wednesday, Jun 27, 2012

SINGAPORE - Tension was high outside the Subordinate Courts today as supporters of the City Harvest Church leaders formed a human wall to shield them from the media.

More than 200 people turned up to support City Harvest founder Kong Hee and four other church members as they faced charges for the alleged misuse of church funds.

According to Lianhe Wanbao, media personnel complained of being pushed and obstructed aggressively when they tried to take pictures of the accused walking out of court.

The paper reported that 20 people formed a human wall around the accused members as they walked out of court.

A female photojournalist was overheard yelling, "Why did you push me? I am a woman!".

Shin Min Daily News reported that many supporters were agitated, some were even seen crying outside of court.

Another videographer was also seen arguing with a supporter when the supporter relentlessly waved his hand in front of the camera to prevent him from capturing scenes of Kong Hee walking out of court.

The cameraman told Lianhe Wanbao that the argument started when he asked the man not to block his camera. The supporter then retorted that there was nothing wrong in putting his hands up.

"Even if he wanted to protect the leaders, he should not prevent us from doing our jobs," the cameraman said.
 

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Some financial irregularities


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By Adrian Lim
my paper

Wednesday, Jun 27, 2012

'Donations' to related church

Under the guise of donations, at least $2.1 million was given to City Harvest Church Kuala Lumpur (KL) between December 2007 and May 2010, said the Commissioner of Charities. The funds were transferred by the KL church to support a "Crossover Project" in the United States.

'Multi-purpose account'

Donations and tithes the church received were transferred to a "multi-purpose account", also used to fund the Crossover Project. Between April 2007 and March 2010, about $600,000 and $3 million from the account was used for Mr Kong Hee and wife Ho Yeow Sun's expenses, respectively. The account was unknown to most church members.

Donation use changed

Donations for the church's building fund amounting to $600,000 were transferred to the multi-purpose account for the Crossover Project. To aid in the project, US$100,000 (S$128,000) was used to finance publicity for Ho's music career in the US.

'Sales discount'

Between 2006 and 2008, Mr Kong's firm sold merchandise worth over $3 million to the church. In 2008, Mr Kong "refunded" $770,000 to the church, concealed as a "sales discount" to the church. The refunds were later reimbursed to him from the multi-purpose account and the KL church.
 

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Funds sent 'round-tripping' to cover tracks


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By Teh Shi Ning & Emilyn Yap
The Business Times
Thursday, Jun 28, 2012

SINGAPORE - Not only was $24 million allegedly siphoned from City Harvest Church (CHC) in sham bond deals, but $26.6 million more was diverted and circulated to cover the tracks in an elaborate ploy.

The prosecution laid out this case against CHC founder Kong Hee and four other people in court yesterday, a day after the Commissioner of Charities (COC) disclosed financial irregularities at the church.

The case involves three sets of charges, with the first centred on purported bond transactions used to conceal the transfer of church funds to support Ho Yeow Sun's music career. Ms Ho, also known as Sun Ho, is Kong's wife.

She does not face charges.

The prosecution believes that $13 million were misappropriated from CHC's building fund between 2007 and 2008 - disguised as investments in Xtron Productions bonds - to further Ms Ho's pop career.

Based on Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra) records, Xtron was registered in 2003 and its secretary is Serina Wee, CHC's former finance manager.

Its two shareholders are listed as Koh Siow Ngea and Choong Kar Weng. Xtron is involved in the reproduction of recorded media and posted a post-tax loss from continuing operations of $2.4 million in 2007.

Some $11 million was also allegedly diverted from the building fund between 2008 and 2009 on the pretext of buying PT The First National Glassware (Firna) bonds. The bulk of this went to Ms Ho's career while the rest went to a Wahju Hanafi.

According to COC's release on Tuesday, the Indonesian businessman had donated $600,000 to CHC's building fund.

Deputy public prosecutor Christopher Ong noted that a public statement had been issued at the church's annual general meeting in April 2003, stating that no church funds went towards promoting Ms Ho's music career.

The prosecution filed three charges each against Kong, CHC vice-chairman Tan Ye Peng, chairman John Lam Leng Hung and investment manager Chew Eng Han for conspiracy to commit criminal breach of trust (CBT) by agent, under section 409 read with section 109 of the Penal Code.

The purported Xtron and Firna bond investments did not go unnoticed, and CHC's auditor questioned those deals.

The second set of charges relate to a series of complex transactions which some of the accused devised to clear the fictitious bond investments off the church's accounts.

The prosecution believes that these individuals conspired to take $26.6 million more out of the church's funds, and circulated these monies through a complicated series of transactions.

This would create the false appearance that the purported sham bond investments had been redeemed, when the redemptions were actually financed using the church's own funds.

DPP Ong referred to these as "round-tripping".

The charge sheets state that Tan, finance manager Sharon Tan, Chew and Ms Wee (who has not been charged) conspired to transfer $5.8 million from CHC's building fund and $5.6 million from CHC's general fund to Amac Capital Partners Pte Ltd's Special Opportunities Fund in October 2009.

According to Acra records, Amac was registered in 2007 and its website lists Chew and Kenneth Goh as the two principal shareholders.

The four individuals are also alleged to have disbursed $15.2 million from the building fund to Xtron.

Asked if the initial $24 million that was allegedly misappropriated was returned to the church, a police spokeswoman would only say: "Generally, in law, the offence of criminal breach of trust of monies is established once there is misappropriation of the monies with the requisite intent, regardless of whether there have or have not been subsequent attempts at restitution by the accused."

Under the second set of alleged CBT offences, the prosecution tendered three charges each against Tan, Chew and Sharon Tan.

The final set of charges centred on the falsification of CHC's accounts.

The prosecution accused Tan, Chew and Sharon Tan of doing so, to make it look like the purported bond investments had been either fully redeemed or set off against purported advance rental payments.

The trio face four charges each for conspiracy to commit falsification of accounts under section 477A of the Penal Code. Conviction under this section can lead to imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine, or both.

All five accused are out on bail of $500,000 each and their cases are up for further mention on July 25. Kong is represented by Allen & Gledhill's Edwin Tong, Lam by Nicholas Narayanan of Nicholas & Tan, Tan by N Sreenivasan of Straits Law, Chew by Rodyk & Davidson's Lok Vi Ming and Sharon Tan by Jeffrey Ong of JLC Advisors.

Chew told BT yesterday that it was "business as usual" at Amac Capital Partners.

Transcu Group, a listed company which secured a $6 million equity line facility from Amac last year, issued a clarification on SGX stating that to its knowledge, no charges have been laid against Amac as a company.

Yesterday's charges added to the complexity surrounding the CHC case.

Round-tripping tricks are not new, but they are more commonly seen in the corporate world.

NEL Group and Scorpio East Holdings are among companies here that have been embroiled in such transactions.

The allegations in the CHC case are serious, said National University of Singapore associate professor Mak Yuen Teen. The CHC case has "gone beyond just mismanagement, conflict of interests".

This article was first published in The Business Times.
 

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City Harvest stands by accused founder and leaders


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AsiaOne
Thursday, Jun 28, 2012

City Harvest Church (CHC) is standing by its founder Kong Hee and the four other members facing charges for allegedly misusing church funds, its executive pastor said on Thursday.

According to a Straits Times report, Mr Aries Zulkarnain also said that Kong Hee, 48, and CHC deputy pastor Tan Ye Peng, 39, will continue to preach at the church despite the charges brought against them.

Another pastor from CHC, Mr Bobby Chaw, added that City Harvest has actively worked to ensure good governance and have compiled with codes set by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.

On June 27, five members of CHC, including its founder Kong, were charged in court with misappropriating church funds of over $50 million.

The funds were purportedly used to fund the pop music career of Ho Yeow Sun, Kong's wife.

It was reported that prosecutors are accusing the church members of using $26.6 million to cover up a missing $24 million from the previous year..

Kong Hee and CHC board member John Lam Leng Hung, 44, both face criminal charges for committing criminal breach of trust as an agent.

Tan Ye Peng and investment manager Chew Eng Han were charged for criminal breach of trust and falsifying accounts.

Sharon Tan Shao Yuen, 37, faces four counts of falsifying accounts and three for committing criminal breach of trust as an agent.

The accused are out on $500,000 police bail and are due to return to court on July 25.

In addition to those facing charges, another three members from CHC have been suspended by Commissioner of Charities from their Executive Memberships in the Charity.

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$50.6m: Amount of funds misused


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By Ethan Lou
my paper
Thursday, Jun 28, 2012

A SHOCKING revelation: The figure was more than twice the one given on Tuesday for the amount of funds allegedly misused by City Harvest Church leaders.

At yesterday's court hearing, deputy public prosecutor Christopher Ong read out a laundry list of misappropriated funds that added up to a staggering $50.6 million.

This dwarfs the $23 million reported after the five were arrested on Tuesday.

Church founder Kong Hee, 47; his deputy, Tan Ye Peng, 39; church board member John Lam Leng Hung, 44; church investment manager Chew Eng Han, 52; and church financial manager Sharon Tan Shao Yuen, 36, looked on impassively as they stood in a row to hear their charges.

The courtroom was packed with Kong's supporters. An area normally cordoned off was opened up to accommodate them. Even so, not all of the 200 who turned up could get in, as a queue snaked outside the room.

The accused acknowledged their supporters by waving, but the mood got grimmer as the charges were read. All five were downcast as a dramatic silence enveloped those present.

The five faced varying charges, which relate to the alleged misuse of $24 million from the church's building fund between 2007 and 2008, largely to fund the music career of Madam Ho Yeow Sun, Kong's wife.

The money was mostly obtained from donations and allegedly used under the guise of investments. A year later, another $26.6 million was allegedly used to cover up the missing $24 million.

The charges are falsification of accounts and criminal breach of trust by an agent. The latter refers to abuse of power performed by a person holding a substantial amount of responsibility.

It carries heavier penalties than the lesser charge, criminal breach of trust by a servant.

The real drama, however, ensued after the hearing as the accused and their supporters exited the court.

Kong emerged with wife Ho beside him, their hands clasped tightly together.

Flanked in all directions by about 20 of his supporters who formed a human wall, the couple looked sullen and avoided all eye contact with the media and did not utter a word as they were escorted to a waiting car.

Then things got ugly.

In a scuffle, some people in the crowd started shoving photographers away and hurling insults at cameramen.

According to Shin Min Daily News, many of the supporters appeared peeved and some were spotted crying outside the court.

A videographer argued with a supporter who was waving his hand repeatedly in front of the camera to obstruct the filming of Kong walking out of court.

Peace returned only when all five accused left.

Later at 1pm, Kong posted on his Twitter account, alluding to a Biblical verse: "Why r you down in e dumps dear soul? Why r you crying e blues? Fix my eyes on God...He puts a smile on my face. He's my God."

The five were represented by notable lawyers, including Kong's lawyer, Mr Edwin Tong, who is a partner at Allen & Gledhill and an MP for Moulmein- Kallang GRC; and Senior Counsel Lok Vi Ming, a partner at Rodyk and Davidson who is the lawyer for Chew.

The five accused are out on $500,000 police bail and their passports have been impounded.

They are due to return to court in four weeks' time, on July 25.

For conspiracy to commit criminal breach of trust by agent, they may face life imprisonment if convicted.

[email protected]
 

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He dared to question City Harvest


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AsiaOne
Thursday, Jun 28, 2012

In 2003, he had to make a public apology after questioning whether City Harvest Church used church funds for Ho Yeow Sun's music career.

Mr Roland Poon had been going to City Harvest for a few years when he began to feel uncomfortable with some of the church's practices, said a report in The Straits Times today.

Then a businessman, he had donated money towards the City Harvest church building at Jurong West.

A close family friend of Mr Poon's who asked to remain anonymous told The Straits Times that Mr Poon was uneasy with the way the church leaders used the church service to promote Ho Yeow Sun's music.

Mr Poon also asked the church leadership how church funds were being used.

When Mr Poon's questions to the church were not answered, he wrote to The Straits Times, saying it was not ethical to mix secular matters and religion - he added that he was "encouraged" to buy Ho's music, and alleged that church funds were used to finance Ho's publicity campaigns.

Mr Poon's friend also said the church would sue Mr Poon if he had no evidence to back up his allegations.

Traumatised, he retracted his statements and issued apologies in five publications while the church issued its own reply to his allegations.

Mr Poon left City Harvest Church after the matter concluded and now worships in another church.

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Thu, Jun 28, 2012

Diva

Sun Ho's multi-million dollar attempt to break into Hollywood

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How did $23 million help advance singer Ho Yeow Sun's music career in the US?

Ho Yeow Sun, 42, popularly known as Sun Ho, is married to Pastor Kong Hee, 47, founder of City Harvest Church. The couple have a 7-year-old son, Dayan.

Kong is currently facing charges of alleged misuse of at least $23 million of church funds to finance his wife's singing career in the US.

A "Crossover Project", started in 2002 by the couple, was set up to use Ho's secular music to connect with people and reach out to non-Christians, local media agencies reported.

Since news of the charges against Kong and four others broke, two of Ho's music videos for dance tracks "China Wine" and "Mr Bill", released in 2007, have been widely circulated on social media.

In comments posted on the videos hosted on YouTube, netizens slammed the videos for its content and Ho's provocative dance moves.

Many questioned how the controversial videos could be "reaching out to non-Christians".

In "China Wine", Ho can be seen gyrating to the music with back-up dancers, dressed in a low-cut, midriff-baring top and micro-shorts.

Ho collaborated with noted rapper-producer Wyclef Jean on both singles.

The singer was based in the US between 2003 and 2010, reported The New Paper, where five of her English singles released made it into the top 10 of Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs.

But according to a Straits Times on Wednesday, doubts were cast that Ho made it just on talent alone.

One senior music executive interviewed by the paper said the Billboard dance chart is based on airplay and not sales.

"You can just pay to promote yourself to get radio stations to play your songs," said the executive, who remained anonymous.

A director of a record label here estimates that it costs between US$300,000 (S$386,000) and US$1 million to produce an album in the US.

A collaboration with famed producer Wyclef Jean could cost between US$50,000 and US$300,000.

The $23 million that was purportedly used to finance Sun's music career not only gave her four No.1 hits on the Billboard dance charts, an English-language album and slick music videos but also a US$20,000 (S$25,600) a month Hollywood home.

The mansion, nestled in the plush Hollywood Hills district, is where celebrities like Nicky Hilton and singer Leona Lewis have set up home, The New Paper reported. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are also said to own property there.

The New Paper visited the house in June 2010 and reported seeing a black SUV and a black Mercedes Benz CLK550 driving in and out of the estate, which has four buildings in all.

Ho is also known to have uploaded videos of her personal life in the US on her official website.

The videos posted included those of her spending time with her son at Manhattan Beach, her relief work in Haiti after the earthquake and picking up US$217 worth of groceries from Whole Foods Market, a natural and organic food store.

Her lavish lifestyle in the US is a far cry from when the couple first got married in 1992. In a 2002 interview with The New Paper, Kong recalled that they "were so poor" that he could only afford to buy her a wedding band that cost $60.

He made it up to Ms Ho with a $5,000 one-carat diamond ring in 1997.

Besides drawing flak for her music videos and lifestyle, Ho was also criticised on many occasions for her fashion sense.


In 2010, she was criticised for showing too much skin in a black cut-out Rodarte dress at the Grammy awards.

Comments on her dress from online communities ran the spectrum from “bad taste”, “too SM (sadomasochistic)” to “skanky”.

In November 2003, she set tongues wagging when she wore a daring red Armani gown – with a plunging neckline – to the Hollywood Film Festival in Los Angeles.

At the 2006 Global Music Awards held in Singapore, she was criticised again for turning up in a short grey-black dress that barely covered her buttocks.

In a blog entry in 2007, Ho addressed comments surrounding the controversial "China Wine" music video.

She defended her outfits that she wore, saying they covered more than "what girls are wearing today when they go to the gym".

She also clarified that she is not intentionally "pushing the limits" when it comes to her music and image.

"I’ve had super revealing dresses pushed upon me by sponsors for red-carpet events and I’ve had to push them right back at the stylist!" said Ho, adding that sexy cleavage-baring dresses were "the norm" for red carpet style in Hollywood.

"If anything, I’m the 'weird' one over there when I have to explain to them my reservations and restrictions!" she wrote.

She also added that her husband had no problems with her music videos.

Kong is known to show unwavering support for his wife when it comes to her career.

According to The Straits Times' report on Wednesday, church members within the couple's inner circle said Kong's affection for his wife deepened after she suffered two miscarriages.

The couple met when Ho joined the church as a volunteer in 1989. He proposed in 1992, even though they never dated, and wed six months later.

Ho first entered the music scene in 2002 as a Mandarin artiste, when she released her debut album, Sun With Love.

She also won the Singapore Hit Awards in 2003 and 2004 for two of her Mandarin albums, Sun*Day and Lonely Travel.

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http://business.asiaone.com/Business/My%2BMoney/Property/Story/A1Story20120627-355755.html


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Wednesday, Jun 27, 2012
AsiaOne
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From $127k HDB flat to $9.3m Sentosa Cove penthouse
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SINGAPORE - How did the Kongs get from a $127,000 HDB flat to a $9.3 million Sentosa Cove penthouse?
Pastor Kong Hee and his family started with a five-room HDB flat in Tampines, which they bought for $127,000.
They later sold it for $420,000, The New Paper reported in 2010.
Inside Pastor Kong Hee's many homes
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From there, the Kongs bought a Horizon Towers unit in River Valley. It had a private lift, two living rooms, four bedrooms and a compact kitchen.

The flooring was marble, with a carpeted family area and a walk-in wardrobe which showed off the fashionista side of Ms Ho.
It was done up in a mix of American classic and contemporary styles.

In 2010, they sold this apartment and moved into The Suites at Central on Devonshire. It was reportedly sold to them for $2.6 million.

There was also a $28,000-a-month Hollywood Hills estate which Ms Ho rented while pursuing her career as a singer in the United States.

She stayed there with her son, an assistant, a nanny and some relatives while going about her music career. She shuttled between the US and Singapore.

Today, the Kongs live in a luxury Sentosa Cove penthouse which cost $9.3 million, according to The New Paper.

The 487 sq m apartment is more than four times bigger than their Tampines flat and has an ocean view.

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Who is City Harvest's Wahju Hanafi?


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By Teh Shi Ning
The Business Times
Thursday, Jun 28, 2012

Indonesian businessman Wahju Hanafi, the other beneficiary of funds allegedly diverted from City Harvest Church (CHC) to further Sun Ho's music career, is a man with multiple links to the church, its founder Kong Hee and affiliated companies.

The prosecution's charges against Kong and four other senior CHC members yesterday said that alleged dishonest transfers of $11 million from CHC's building fund to PT The First National Glassware between Oct 6, 2008 and June 19, 2009 were meant to fund Ms Ho's career and "for the purpose of providing funds to one Wahju Hanafi".

Mr Hanafi joined the church in the early 1990s, Kong wrote in a 2008 article in CHC newsletter Harvest Times. In that article, Kong also mentions that Mr Hanafi bought a major glass factory in Indonesia in early 2007, tripling his personal net worth.

Back in 1986, he founded Super Value Stores, a general merchandise retail chain which now has 14 branches and more than 1,100 employees, according to its corporate website. Mr Hanafi is listed as its managing director.
 

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Church was not cheated of $50m, says City Harvest


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AsiaOne
Friday, Jun 29, 2012

SINGAPORE - In a strongly worded statement posted on Thursday night, City Harvest Church is disputing the allegations that the church was cheated of $50 million, claiming that the sum was repaid to the church in full with interest.

"It has been suggested that the church has been cheated of $50 million. This is not accurate," said Mr Aries Zulkarnain, the executive pastor and a founding member of the church since its start 23 years ago.

"The $24 million, which went to investment bonds, was returned to the church in full, with interest.

"We didn't lose the $24 million, nor did we lose 'another $26.6m' as alleged. The church did not lose any funds in the relevant transactions, and no personal profit was gained by the individuals concerned," he claimed.

On Wednesday, the church's founding pastor Kong Hee, 47, and four others were charged with misappropriating church funds of over $50 million in order to finance the music career of Kong's wife, Ho Yeow Sun, 42.

Speaking on behalf of the Board, Bobby Chaw, the pastor in charge of missions at CHC, said that the church has been cooperating with the Government to comply with the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS)'s code of governance.

"We replaced 50 per cent of our Board with new members. We engaged RSM Chio Lim to do a full internal audit and we have been putting their recommendations into action, and will continue to do so," he said.

He said the church was then surprised when the Commissioner of Charities (COC) suspended the members of the church without prior notice as they had been cooperating with COC for two years since the start of the case.

Disappointed at media coverage

The church also expressed disappointment with the media coverage on the case so far.

"In some instances, they seem to have pre-judged us. We will be dealing with this in due course," Chaw said.

The church stated that the Crossover Project was not about one person's singing career, but a mission "fundamental to the congregation of CHC."

"The Crossover Project is an outreach that uses Sun Ho's singing and music to engage people and places that would never otherwise hear the Gospel," the statement said.

"As a result of the Crossover Project, many churches have grown worldwide and the faith of many has been strengthened. Impact has been made on the needy in Haiti, disaster victims in China, the depressed and suicidal in Taiwan, and the sick children in Honduras, among others."

In response to the statement, a spokesman for the Attorney-General's Chambers said that as the criminal charges have now been brought before the court, the church should not have commented on the issues, and neither should the prosecution do so.

The Straits Times reported that the police responded in a similar fashion, but added that the offence is with regards to the misappropriation of the money with the intent to deceive, regardless of whether subsequent attempts at restitution have or have not been made by the accused.

The church has stated that Kong and CHC deputy pastor Tan Ye Peng, 39, will continue to preach at the church despite the charges brought against them.

"The people currently in the news are our pastors and trusted staff and leaders who have always put God and CHC first. As a church we stand with them and I believe fully in their integrity," Mr Zulkarnain said.

CITY HARVEST CHURCH RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS

28 June 2012 - City Harvest Church has responded to certain issues raised this week concerning the CAD case.

Mr Aries Zulkarnain, the executive pastor and a founding member of the church since its start 23 years ago, says that the church stands with the members involved.

"The people currently in the news are our pastors and trusted staff and leaders who have always put God and CHC first. As a church we stand with them and I believe fully in their integrity. Pastor Kong is still our Senior Pastor."

Mr Zulkarnain says that COC has confirmed that Mr Kong Hee, the senior pastor, and Mr Tan Ye Peng, the deputy senior pastor will continue to preach at the church.

He emphasizes that church activities are not affected by the case. "City Harvest Church will continue to do its work. Our services and cell group meetings will carry on as usual. As a church we will continue to take care of our members and our community. We will not stop doing God's work."

With regard to the allegations, Mr Zulkarnain says, "It has been suggested that the church has been cheated of $50 million. This is not accurate. The $24 million, which went to investment bonds, was returned to the church in full, with interest. We didn't lose the $24 million, nor did we lose 'another $26.6m' as alleged. The church did not lose any funds in the relevant transactions, and no personal profit was gained by the individuals concerned."

Speaking on behalf of the Board, Bobby Chaw, the pastor in charge of missions at CHC, says that actions had been taken the past two years in accordance with the MCYS' code of governance.

"We replaced 50 per cent of our Board with new members. We engaged RSM Chio Lim to do a full internal audit and we have been putting their recommendations into action, and will continue to do so," says Mr Chaw. "We appreciate the need to maintain good corporate governance, and we are continuously working with MCYS to do so."

However, Mr Chaw expresses his disappointment with some of the media's coverage so far, particularly in relation to the COC inquiry.

"In some instances, they seem to have pre-judged us. We will be dealing with this in due course," he says.

He adds that the church was also surprised that COC chose to implement the suspensions of the members involved without prior notice. "We have been co-operating with COC for two years since the start of the case, so these sudden suspensions came as a surprise to us."

The church's Advisory Pastor, Rev Dr Phil Pringle is in Singapore to stand with CHC. He is the senior pastor of C3 Church, Sydney, and the C3 Global Network of Churches. Dr Pringle expresses his support for the leadership.

"I have known City Harvest Church, Kong, Sun and Ye Peng for a long time. CHC is not just a local church in Singapore. It has 49 affiliated churches and 6 Bible schools all across Asia. It has impact on international ground, and it has proven through many years that it serves the global community, both spiritually and practically through humanitarian works."

Dr Pringle says he, along with CHC's Advisory Chairman Dr A R Bernard, who is the senior pastor of Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, New York, fully believe in and endorse the church's Crossover Project as a mission to reach the world.

The church states that the Crossover Project is not about one person's singing career; it is a mission that is fundamental to the congregation of CHC. The Crossover Project is an outreach that uses Sun Ho's singing and music to engage people and places that would never otherwise hear the Gospel. As a result of the Crossover Project, many churches have grown worldwide and the faith of many has been strengthened. Impact has been made on the needy in Haiti, disaster victims in China, the depressed and suicidal in Taiwan, and the sick children in Honduras, among others.

Dr Pringle says, "The Gospel is the Good News and Christians are meant to share it. CHC has done this through the Crossover Project, which lies at the very heart of our religious beliefs."
 

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City Harvest talking points


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The New Paper
Friday, Jun 29, 2012

Answers are pieced together from COC, CAD and CHC statements

How were the church funds diverted to fund Ms Ho Yeow Sun's music career?

Between 2007 and 2010, a portion of the church's funds was used to finance her career under the guise of donations to its affiliated church in Kuala Lumpur.

At least $2.1m was then transmitted by this affiliate church to the US to fund her career.

In addition, donations and tithes to the church were transferred into a private fund known as the Multi-Purpose Account, which was used to fund her career.

This account was allegedly kept secret from most of the church members.

There was also an attempt to conceal the existence of the account by closing its joint bank account and dealing only in cash, which was kept in a safe at the church.

About $3m from the account was said to have been used for Ms Ho's expenditures.

Some donations to the church's Building Fund were also diverted to the secret account via "refunds" to donors, who indicated that they wanted the monies to go to specific pastors and employees of the charity as "love gifts".

The recipients of the gifts would then deposit the money in the secret account.

Who knew these practices were going on?

For the diversion of funds from the affiliate church inKL to the US, Mr Tan Ye Peng (vice-chairman), MrKelvin Teo Meng How (board member), MsSharon Tan Shao Yuen (board member) and MsSerina Wee Gek Yin (ex-finance manager and board member) were aware of the true purpose of the "donations".

Ms Wee and Ms Jacqueline Tan Su Pheng (former personal assistant to Mr Kong and board member) were the ones who administered the multi-purpose account.

The plan to divert monies from the building fund to the secret account via "refunds" was conceptualised by Mr Chew Eng Han (board member), Mr Tan, Ms Wee and Ms Tan.

What action has been taken against those involved?

The following have been suspended from their roles on the church's board:

Mr Kong Hee (member of charity's board and executive member)

Mr Lam Leng Hung (chairman of charity's board, trustee, agent and executive member)

Mr Tan Ye Peng (vice-chairman of charity's board, trustee, employee, agent and executive member) Ms Sharon Tan Shao Yuen (employee and executive member)

Mr Chew Eng Han (agent and executive member)

Ms Ho Yeow Sun (agent and executive member)

Mr Kelvin Teo Meng How (agent, employee and executive member)

Ms Jacqueline Tan Su Pheng (employee and executive member)

The following have been arrested by the Commercial Affairs Department: Mr Kong, Mr Lam, Mr Tan, Ms Sharon Tan and Mr Chew.

What happens to City HarvestChurch?

There is no case being brought against the church.

The CHC Advisory Committee, comprising Dr Phil Pringle, founder and Senior Minister of Christian City Church in Sydney, and Dr A R Bernard, founder and CEO of Christian Cultural Centre in New York, will continue to provide spiritual leadership.

Both pastors were appointed advisory senior pastors over CHC.

The Church Management Board continues to provide guidance on the running of the church.

Church operations and cell group meetings will continue as usual, including all weekend services at Singapore Expo and Jurong West.

This article was first published in The New Paper.
 

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City Harvest scandal grows as more names surface


by Lianhe Wanbao & Shin Min Daily
29 June 2012 7:57 PM

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Serina Wee: ex-City Harvest finance director

According to Lianhe Wanbao, a sixth person might be charged in the ongoing City Harvest Church scandal – Serina Wee, the Church’s ex-finance director.

Ms Wee is said to have allegedly conspired with the five board members who have been charged siphoniong money from the Church. Charging her has been delayed because she gave birth two weeks ago.

When a Church member Zhou Shi Jin was interviewed, she said she knew Ms Wee’s husband, Mr Liu, who is also a member of CHC. The couple’s son was born two weeks ago, adding to the two daughters they already have. Ms Zhou said she had worked with Mr Liu in providing assistance to youths.

According to the records of the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), Ms Wee is the director and a shareholder of a company that provides secretarial and accounting services. She is listed as the secretary of 55 companies, three of which have closed down.

The 55 companies included Xtron Production, as well as The Ink Room, City News and International Harvest which are all related to the CHC and Kong Hee. Kong is the director of International Harvest. Ms Wee is also listed as the secretary of a few companies under Ho Yeow Sun, including fashion businesses SKIN Couture and Ed Hardy.

The paper said that Ms Wee and her family live in a three-storey house along East Coast, which they shared with an elderly couple. Mr Liu is the founder, CEO and lecturer of a private school in Redhill.
When contacted, Mr Liu said his wife is tending to their baby and unavailable for comment. He declined to provide any additional comment.

Wahju Hanafi: Hong Kee’s ‘true friend’

According to Shin Min Daily, a wealthy Indonesia man is involved in the case as well.

Wahju Hanafi, a 52-year-old business man, has appeared in court documents and is said to have made personal donations to the Church and donated 10 per cent of his company’s profit to the Church, against objections from the company’s CEO.

The newspaper said it was revealed in court that Mr Hanafi donated $600,000 as a ‘gift of love’ to the Church’s building fund. The money was meant for specific pastors and Church employees. In addition, $11 million from the Church ’s building fund was once transferred to PT The First National Glassware (Firna), a company registered under Mr Hanafi’s name.

Mr Hanafi became a member of the Church in the ’90s and has appeared many times in the Church’s publication ‘Harvest Times’. Kong wrote some of the articles featuring Mr Hanafi. Mr Hanafi is said to be a successful businessman with business spanning across the US and South Africa. He is also the managing director of a 14-store supermarket franchise in Papua New Guinea.

When contacted by Shin Min Daily, Mr Hanafi declined to comment. Mr Hanafi is said to have known Mr Kong for nearly 20 years. The apartment at Sentosa Cove where Mr Kong lives with his family is registered under Mr Hanafi’s name. In 2011, he flew from Indonesia to Malaysia to attend a Church session held by Mr Kong. Mr Kong posted a photo of the pair online later.

According to The Straits Times, Church members have revealed that Mr Kong once called Mr Hanafi his ‘true friend’. When investigations began on Mr Kong, Mr Hanafi is said to have brought food over to console him.

Mr Hanafi has allegedly been embroiled in tax evasion, and is thought to have once owed US$1.5 million (approximately S$2 million) in taxes, which he paid when he became a believer in God. At that time, his business was just taking off.

Shin Min Daily reported that in court, the Deputy Public Prosecutor Christopher Ong detailed City Harvest transactions in question by reading a two-page long statement. However, the document was later retracted upon objection from the lawyer representing Tan Ye Peng, one of those who have been charged.

The statement revealed three ways money was siphoned: through sham bond investments, fake redemption of bonds and falsification of accounts. The five people charged are alleged to have used the excuse of investing in bonds to transfer Church’s money to fund Ms Ho’s singing career. In April 2003, the Church made a public statement that it had not contributed a single cent to Ms Ho.

But between 2007 and 2009, the five are alleged to have transferred $24 million from the Church’s account under the guise of bond investment in two companies. The group is alleged to have cooked up a complicated set of transactions involving $26.6 million to make it appear like the bonds had been redeemed.

The prosecutor used the term ‘round-tripping’ to describe the transactions made to cover the money trail, which was done after the Church’s auditor raised questions about the investments. The group is then alleged to have falsified accounts to cover up the ‘round-tripping’ transactions.

 

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Accused church leaders to appear in court on July 25


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AsiaOne
Saturday, Jun 30, 2012

The five members of City Harvest Church (CHC) who have been charged with alleged misue of funds are due to appear in court again on July 25.

CHC founder Kong Hee, vice-chairman Tan Ye Peng, chairman John Lam Leng Hung, investment manager Chew Eng Han, and Sharon Tan Shao Yuen were charged for conspiracy to commit criminal breach of trust by agent.

For two years, from 2010, the Commissioner of Charities (COC) and the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) conducted a concurrent investigation and inquiry into suspected financial irregularities inside CHC.

On June 26, 2012, the five were arrested over alleged misuse of church funds and alleged breaches under charity laws.

The COC revealed that financial irregularities of at least $23 million from the charity's funds have been discovered which it said were used with the purported intention to finance Ho Yeow Sun's secular music career to connect with people. Ho, 42, is Kong's pop singer wife.

A further $26.6 million in church funds is allegedly misappropriated to cover up the first amount.

The five have not pleaded guilty and are due in court on July 25. If found guilty, they could face lengthy jail terms, even for life.

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Church's remarks could interfere judicial process: Lawyers


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AsiaOne
Saturday, Jun 30, 2012

Lawyers said the statement made by executive pastor of City Harvest Church regarding allegations of misuse of funds before the case has gone to trial is risky - if not reckless - and could be construed as interfering with judicial process.

In a strongly worded statement on Thursday night, executive pastor Aries Zulkarnain, 39, dismissed allegations that the church was cheated of $50 million, claiming that the sum was repaid to the church in full with interest.

Insiders said the church deemed the statement necessary to ally the concerns of its 30,000 members, reported The Straits Times.

On Wednesday, the church's founding pastor Kong Hee, 47, and four others were charged with misappropriating church funds of over $50 million.

They were alleged to have funnelled $24 million into a sham bond investments to further the music career of Kong's pop singer wife Ho Yeow Sun. They also allegedly misappropriated a further $26.6 million in church funds to cover up the first amount.

The five have not pleaded guilty and are due in court on July 25. If found guilty, they could face lengthy jail terms, even for life.

The statement by Mr Aries was posted on the church's website and sent to the media. In it, he addressed the allegations and maintained that the church did not lose any funds in the alleged transactions. He also said the accused did not make any personal profit.

He added that the church stood with those involved in the case, including Kong, and that church activities were unaffected. Kong and his deputy Tan Ye Peng could continue to preach at the church.

Lawyers interviewed by The Straits Times are divided on whether Mr Aries' comments constituted subjudice, a legal concept referring to words or actions that may affect or prejudice the outcome of court proceedings.

It is an offence to commit subjudice.

"To address the allegations is subjudice, as the evidence has not been heard in court," said president of the Association of Criminal Lawyers of Singapore Subhas Anandan.

However, other lawyers said it is debatable whether Mr Aries' comments were in contempt of court.

Criminal lawyer R. S. Bajwa told The Straits Times that it remained up to the prosecution to decide if the point about no funds being lost will be a point of contention.

The Attorney-General Chambers said that criminal charges were before the court and that neither the prosecution nor any other party should comment on issues which will be subject to adjudication and on which evidence will be led in court.

The police also gave a similar response: "Generally, in law, the offence of criminal breach of trust of monies is established once there is misappropriation of the monies with the requisite intent, regardless of whether there have or have not been subsequent attempts at restitution by the accused."

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Charges and penalties explained


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The New Paper
Sunday, Jul 01, 2012

CHARGES:

SHAM BOND INVESTMENTS

City Harvest Church (CHC) allegedly made bond investments in two companies: Xtron Productions, an artist management firm that was founded in 2003, and PT The First National Glassware (Firna).

The prosecution's case is that these purported bond investments were sham transactions allegedly devised by the accused parties to conceal the diversions of the church's building fund monies to purportedly fund the music career of Ms Ho Yeow Sun.

Ms Ho, also known as Sun Ho, is the wife of CHC's founder, Kong Hee.

It is the prosecution's case that under the guise of the purported investment in Xtron bonds, $13 million was allegedly misappropriated from CHC's building fund to supposedly fund Ms Ho's pop music career.

Under the guise of the purported investment in Firna bonds, another $11 million of building fund monies was allegedly misappropriated, the bulk of it purportedly also to fund her music career.

'ROUND-TRIPPING' TRANSACTIONS

An audit discovered that monies from CHC's Building Fund were allegedly circulated such that the church's own funds were used to repay or redeem the sums owed to the church as a result of the alleged bond investments.

These allegedly involve about $26.6 million of CHC's funds.

FALSIFICATION OF ACCOUNTS

It is the prosecution's case that the accused persons allegedly involved in the "round-tripping" charges also purportedly engaged in the falsification of the church's accounts.

It is believed that this was done to create a false appearance that the alleged bond investments in Xtron and Firna had been either fully redeemed or set off against purported advance rental payments.

PENALTIES:

Those convicted of being in a conspiracy to commit criminal breach of trust by an agent can either be jailed for life or up to 20 years and fined for each charge.

Those found guilty of being in a conspiracy to commit falsification of accounts can be jailed up to 10 years and fined.
 
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