He also engaged in series of lies over the years to conceal fund misuse: DPP
FOR two weeks, City Harvest Church (CHC) deputy senior pastor Tan Ye
Peng was grilled on the stand for his role in the alleged misuse of
church funds, in the ongoing trial of six people connected to the
church.
Yesterday, in wrapping up her cross-examination of Tan, Deputy Public
Prosecutor Mavis Chionh accused him of lying and giving incoherent and
evasive evidence during the fortnight.
In addition, Tan had "engaged in a series of lies and deceptions over
the years to conceal the unauthorised misuse of the church's building
fund".
Tan and five others, including church founder Kong Hee, face various
charges of misusing $50 million of church funds and covering up the
misuse. The prosecution contends that the church's building fund was
used to finance the music career of Kong's wife, pop singer Ho Yeow Sun,
through sham bond investments in music production firm Xtron and glass
manufacturer Firna.
In going over evidence given by Tan on the stand, DPP Chionh noted he
had "knowingly conspired" with Kong, former fund manager Chew Eng Han,
former finance manager Serina Wee and former board member John Lam to
enter into bond subscription agreements with Xtron and Firna for "a
cover story" so they could channel CHC's building fund into Ms Ho's
music career.
She said Tan had consistently lied to auditors, lawyers, and the court
that the agreements were independent commercial arm's length investment
transactions.
She described his testimony as "incoherent and evasive" about the
redemption of the bonds. It is her contention that Tan and his
co-accused redeemed the bonds early because they did not want it
discovered that they were sham.
While Tan had said earlier that the church had called in the bonds as
the auditor had given the impression to do so, he said yesterday that he
formed the impression after reading an e-mail sent by the finance
manager regarding the auditor and the bonds.
"Which is it exactly?" asked DPP Chionh.
Late in the day, to her allegations that he had been lying, Tan
disagreed. He said: "The building fund was invested, like I say, with
corollary purpose. First was for a good investment with a return, and
the second purpose was for the Crossover Project (a vehicle for Ms Ho's
music). So... I never thought that this was an unauthorised use of the
building fund."
Tan will be re-examined by his lawyer, Senior Counsel N. Sreenivasan, today. Wee is expected to take the stand by tomorrow.
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