It was revealed by the media today (7 Nov) that PRC tour guide cum former grassroots member, Yang Yin, had transferred $500,000 from the account of his “god-grandmother”, 87-year-old widow Chung Khin Chun, to his own father’s account in China.
It’s not known what the wire transfer was for but the authorities are investigating.
At the same time, Yang has been granted a $150,000 bail by the court yesterday (6 Nov).
On Wednesday (5 Nov), he was charged with an additional 320 charges for falsifying the accounts of his company Young Music and Dance Studio. In total, he now faces 331 charges, including the earlier 11. Like the first 11 charges, the latest 320 charges are for falsifying receipts between 2009 and 2014. Yang is a director of the company. He allegedly created these receipts reflecting payment for activities such as piano lessons and training when there were no such transactions.
In all, the falsified receipts amounted to some $450,000 in total to account for the revenue “received” by the company all these years. The company needed to “receive” revenue in order to pay for his salary, which in turn, is needed to support his Employment Pass.
He was later also able to successfully apply for his PR, in part, thanks to an appeal letter written for him by Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Intan. With a good salary, it’s also easier for a PR to obtain long-term visit passes for his family members to stay in Singapore.
Judge granted Yang $150,000 bail
The prosecution yesterday argued that Yang should not be granted bail as there was a “very high risk that the accused will abscond from the jurisdiction”. The prosecution also argued that Yang had “no roots” in Singapore.
Although the judge felt that Yang has no roots in Singapore, he said it “does not necessarily prohibit a foreigner from being admitted to bail as otherwise all foreigners in Singapore once charged would not be admitted to bail by the mere fact that they do not have any roots in Singapore”.
The judge added that there is a need to balance the flight risk with the defendant’s rights.
The prosecutor also wanted the court to put the bail at $800,000 with four sureties. He pointed out a recent case in which $600,000 bail and the withholding of a passport were not enough to prevent the accused, facing similar charges, from running away. It is understood that a high bail amount is not unusual for cases involving foreigners.
The prosecutor even brought up the $500,000, arguing that the money meant Yang had the means to post higher bail. Yang’s lawyer, however, said there is no evidence to show that the money still remains. He added that Yang is simply accused of faking receipts, and does not “stand to enjoy” any of the proceeds.
The judge proceeded to grant Yang the $150,000 bail and ordered his passport to be impounded. Yang must also report to the investigating officer daily at 10am.
Yang’s lawyer revealed that Yang’s parents had arranged for a $150,000 sum to be remitted to Singapore to pay for bail. This was all they could raise and Yang is unlikely to “make them destitute by running away”, Yang’s lawyer said in court earlier. However, given the new revelation by the authorities that they are investigating the “suspicious” $500,000 transfer to Yang’s father, it’s unclear if remitting the $150,000 to Yang will necessary make Yang’s parents destitute.
In any case, Yang looked relief yesterday after the judge granted him the $150,000 bail, despite the prosecution’s insistence that he was a flight risk.
He will leave Changi Prison, where he is currently in remand, on Monday at the earliest after bail is paid, said his lawyer.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers, however, has revealed that it would be making an application to the High Court with regard to the bail decision but did not give details.
If convicted of falsifying papers, Yang could be jailed up to 10 years and/or fined.
Update (7 Nov, 3pm)
The prosecution is challenging the district court’s decision to allow Yang to be released on bail.
The AGC has filed a Criminal Revision in the High Court against the decision of the district court to grant $150,000 bail to Yang.
The High Court may, on a Criminal Revision, amend any irregularities in a decision made by the State Courts, even though no appeal has been filed against the decision of the State Courts.
The AGC said the hearing will be held in the High Court next Monday (10 Nov), the day that Yang is expected to be released from remand.
http://www.tremeritus.com/2014/11/07/500k-transferred-from-widows-account-to-yangs-father/
