6 convicted in City Harvest trial barred from holding office in charities
Six former City Harvest Church (CHC) leaders who were convicted of misappropriating $50 million in church funds have been permanently barred from holding key posts in charity organisations, said a statement from the Commissioner of Charities (COC) released on Wednesday (24 May).
CHC’s founder and senior pastor Kong Hee, deputy senior pastor Tan Ye Peng, former board member John Lam, former fund manager Chew Eng Han, along with former finance managers Serina Wee and Sharon Tan will be “permanently disqualified… from being a governing board member or key officer of a charity or a trustee for a charity as they have been convicted of offences involving dishonesty or deception”, the statement said.
It added that the move would “suffice to protect the charitable assets of the Charity (CHC) from the Six Convicted individuals”.
The six were found guilty of charges including criminal breach of trust and falsifying of accounts in October 2015. All are serving jail terms except for Chew, who was granted a deferment.
Stern warning letters were also issued to CHC executive members Kelvin Teo Meng How and Jacqueline Tan Su Pheng, the COC statement said, noting that they were “comparatively less culpable” than the other six in terms of mismanaging the church’s funds.
The COC also issued a new restriction order, which prohibits CHC from appointing or hiring the eight aforementioned individuals – the convicted six along with Teo and Jacqueline Tan – without COC approval. They will still be able to perform their religious duties, with the CHC’s services also being allowed to continue as usual.
““Good governance, accountability and transparency are fundamental principles for the proper administration of charities… My office will not tolerate any mismanagement or misconduct in the administration of a charity, and will not hesitate to take action against those responsible,” said Commissioner of Charities Ang Hak Seng.
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