Alleged match-fixer Dan Tan's ex-wife changes mind in court
She appeared set to plead guilty yesterday.
But in a surprising twist, Guan Enmei, an ex-wife of alleged match-fixer Dan Tan Seet Eng, told the court that she "didn't give false information".
Guan, 40, was first charged in May 2015 with giving false information to a senior investigator from the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
On June 6, 2013, Guan allegedly told the CPIB officer that she had left her home with only a handbag and denied that she had "brought a paperbag containing two laptops", which the CPIB said she knew were false statements.
Guan, who was Tan's third wife, divorced him in July last year.
Her 51-year-old ex-husband, described by Interpol as "the leader of the world's most notorious match-fixing syndicate", has been detained under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act.
CHANGE OF HEART
Yesterday, the first sign that Guan had a change of heart was when her Chinese translator said "she is disputing the charge".
Guan, who was unrepresented and dressed in a dark blue blouse and denim jeans, cried as she spoke into the microphone.
Her 11-year-old son with Tan sat quietly in the gallery, his eyes on his mother.
Guan, who had previously claimed trial to the charge, told District Judge Chay Yuen Fatt yesterday that she hoped to have the case concluded as she intends to take her son to China for his education.
Judge Chay replied he "could not accept a plea out of convenience".
He added: "The prosecution is asking for a fairly long jail term."
A pre-trial conference is fixed for Jan 28. If found guilty of giving false or misleading information, Guan could be fined a maximum of $10,000 and jailed up to a year.
She is out on $10,000 bail.
- Zaihan Mohamed Yusof
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