City Harvest Church leaders trial: All six found guilty of all charges

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Reporter

Oct 21, 2015 10:34 am

All six accused in the City Harvest Church trial have been convicted of all charges on Wednesday (Oct 21).

Founder Kong Hee, 51, former board member John Lam, 47, finance manager Sharon Tan, 39, ex-fund manager Chew Eng Han, 55, deputy senior pastor Tan Ye Peng, 42, and former finance manager Serina Wee, 38, were found guilty of criminal breach of trust and/or falsifying accounts after a 140-day trial stretching over two years.

Delivering his verdict, Presiding Judge of the State Courts, See Kee Oon, said the evidence presented in court overwhelmingly showed they had all acted dishonestly.

He added no matter how pure their motives or how ingrained the trust in the church leadership may be, it did not exonerate them of criminal liability.

The penalty for criminal breach of trust is a life sentence, or up to 20 years in jail and a fine.

For falsifying accounts, the penalty is a maximum of 10 years' jail, a fine, or both.