Ex-US navy employee, ex-policeman charged with corruption, obstructing justice

SINGAPORE — An ex-employee of the United States Navy and a former police officer, both Singaporeans, were separately charged in the district court yesterday (Dec 3) with various offences, including corruption, money-laundering and obstructing the course of justice.

Gursharan Kaur Sharon Rachael, 55, a former lead contract specialist of the US Navy, faces seven counts of corruptly obtaining gratification worth about S$130,300 in cash and paid accommodation in luxury hotels.

The court heard that between 2006 and 2011, Gursharan had stayed in luxury hotels such as The Ritz-Carlton Bali and Shangri-La Hotel in Jakarta, which were paid for by the chief executive officer of Glenn Defense Marine (Asia), Mr Leonard Glenn Francis, as a reward for providing him with non-public US Navy information.

Gursharan also faces two counts of money-laundering charges. In 2009, she accepted a converted cash sum of S$50,000 to pay for an insurance policy. She also received another S$50,000 in cash to make the downpayment for a condominium unit at the Double Bay Residences in Singapore.

For each corruption charge, she could face a jail term of up to five years and/or fined S$100,000.

For each money-laundering charge, she could be jailed up to seven years and/or fined S$500,000. Her pre-trial conference has been set for Jan 14.

Separately, former police officer Hui Yew Kong, 36, was charged with two counts of intentionally obstructing the course of justice and another three counts of unauthorised communication of information, an offence under the Official Secrets Act.

Hui had allegedly alerted the general manager of Club Icon, as well as an employee of Club De Colour 1, of an impending police raid, and passed the information to three other individuals when he was not authorised to do so.

Club Icon’s general manager Samuel Lim Yong Choon, 32, was also charged with one count of intentionally obstructing the course of justice after he used a signal to alert the club’s employees to escape police arrest.

Hui intends to claim trial. His next hearing has been fixed for Dec 21, when his earlier charges will be heard as well. The earlier charges involve accusations of him acting as a bookmaker by receiving bets for football matches in April last year.

Lim will return to court for his pre-trial conference on Jan 7.

For intentionally obstructing the course of justice, both Hui and Lim face jail terms of up to seven years and/or a fine. Hui faces up to two years’ jail and a S$2,000 fine for charges under the Official Secrets Act.