MEMBERS of Singapore's City Harvest Church are being
investigated for the misuse of funds.
The Office of the Commissioner of Charities (COC) and the
Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) is looking into some financial
transactions involving several individuals and companies related or
connected to the church. This was revealed in a joint statement by
the COC and the Singapore Police Force.
Seven individuals were detained in a raid at 6.30am on Monday by
the CAD. During the raid, CAD visited their offices and secured
records and accounts as part of the investigation.
By lunch time, 12 people were said to be assisting in
investigations which involve charges of falsification of accounts
and criminal breach of trust. The charges are said to be unrelated
to previous investigations into City Harvest's purchase of a $310
million stake in Suntec City Convention Centre.
The COC had received complaints of misuse of church funds and
informed the CAD after assessing that some financial transactions
may need to be investigated.
In the joint statement, the COC and CAD said: 'Notwithstanding the
ongoing investigations, normal services and religious activities of
City Harvest Church need not be disrupted and can continue for its
congregations.'
More details to come.