City Harvest
Church appeal: Case to be heard in September
SINGAPORE: The appeals of six City Harvest Church (CHC) leaders
sentenced to jail for misappropriating S$50 million of church funds
will be heard over five days, from Sep 19 to Sep 23 this year.
Both the prosecution, which called the sentences "manifestly
inadequate", and the six convicted filed their appeals last
year.
The six were convicted on Oct 21 last year, and sentenced on Nov
20 to between 21 months and eight years' jail, over charges of
criminal breach of trust and falsification of accounts.
Senior pastor Kong Hee, the founder of the church, was sentenced
to eight years' imprisonment for criminal breach of trust, while
former board member Chew Eng Han was given a sentence of six years
and senior pastor Tan Ye Peng, five years and six months.
Serina Wee, former finance manager for the church, was handed a
five-year jail term, while John Lam, the former secretary of the
church's management board, was sentenced to three years' jail.
Former finance manager Sharon Tan received the lightest sentence of
21 months' jail.
The five-day hearing will be presided over by Justices Chao Hick
Tin, Chan Seng Oon and Woo Bih Li.
- CNA/kk