CHC TRIAL: THERE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE AGAINST THE LEADERS TO PRESS EVERY CHARGE
Post date:
5 May 2014 - 6:08pm
Chief District Judge, See Kee Oon has decided that there is sufficient evidence to go ahead with every single charge laid against the 6 City Harvest Church leaders.
Each element of all the charges can be satisfied. This means that the charges of criminal breach of trust and falsification of accounts will be proceeding against all the church leaders.
Church Leader Kong Hee is accused of 3 different charges in relation to the misappropriation of $24 million by channelling the money into shell companies Xtron and Firna in order to fund his wife's music career.
John Lam Leng Hung, the secretary of the Church's management board also faces 3 charges in relation to this $24 million.
Another three church leaders, Chew Eng Han, Tan Ye Peng and Serina Wee Gek Yin, each face 10 charges in relation to both the $24 million, as well as a further $26 million which was used to cover up the original amount.
Ex Finance manager of the church Sharon Tan Shao Yuen also faces 7 charges for both the original misappropriation and the cover-up.
Defence lawyers for the 6 leaders had earlier suggested that the prosecution did not have sufficient evidence to continue on the charges, implying that they would have to drop the case.
The Judge has now ruled that there is enough evidence to satisfy all the charges. However, each of the church leaders will still be raising defences against their charges.
The case will be heard again on July 14.
