According to court documents, Koh Seah Wee (above), then with SLA's application services department, conspired with an ex-colleague Lim Chai Meng, to deceive SLA to pay large sums of money to 10 firms for computer and IT services from 2008 till March this year. -- PHOTO: FLICKR.COM
With the $11.8 million he allegedly took from conspiring with a colleague to cheat the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), Koh Seah Wee, a former SLA deputy director, bought two flashy cars for his wife and mother-in-law.
He gave his wife Yeing Nyok Sea, 38, a $1.6 million Lamborghini and his mum-in-law Kok A Mui a $300,000 Mercedes Benz coupe.
He is also believed to have used the money to buy property and invest in unit trusts and other financial products since 2008.
Koh, 40, who is facing 237 charges of cheating the SLA of $11.8 million, was charged with an additional 12 counts on Tuesday.
Currently being remanded, he appeared via videolink for a pre-trial conference to discuss arrangements for his trial. His lawyer Ravinderpal Singh told The Straits Times that it has not been confirmed that the case will be heard in a district court as the prosecution can apply for Koh to be prosecuted in the High Court.
According to court documents, Koh, then with SLA's application services department, conspired with an ex-colleague Lim Chai Meng, 37, to deceive SLA to pay large sums of money to 10 firms for computer and IT services from 2008 till March this year. Seven of these companies were owned by businessman Ho Yen Teck, 31.
Investigations into the role of his alleged accomplices, wife and mother-in-law are ongoing.
If convicted of cheating in a district court, he could be fined up to $10,000 and jailed up to 10 years on each count. For concealing criminal proceeds, he could be fined up to $500,000 and/or jailed up to seven years.
