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.
