A civil servant who cheated the government by submitting forged approval documents for purchases of gift vouchers gets eight years and eight months in jail.
Liew Chee Meng, 35, an assistant executive with the Home Affairs Ministry (MHA), pleaded guilty to 22 charges of cheating involving S$61,985 (RM151,005) and six of converting properties representing his benefits from criminal conduct totalling S$131,280 (RM319,819).
The fraud was committed over four years from 2007 to early last year.
His duties included helping in the procurement of and processing payments for prizes used in activities and competitions organised by MHA’s Strategic Planning and Development Division (SPPD) where he was attached to.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Tan Ken Hwee said Liew caused the MHA to procure some S$617,087 (RM1.5mil) worth of Takashimaya, CapitaLand and Isetan gift vouchers with the intention of using them for his personal benefit.
To induce the ministry to issue instructions to pay for the gift vouchers, he submitted forged approval emails to deceive MHA officers into believing that approval for the purchases had been given by his senior director.
When the gift vouchers were ready, he would collect them personally.
To cover his tracks, he would certify the invoices from vendors as being accurate, presenting copies of the forged approval emails to the finance department officers.
Tan cited a number of aggravating factors for the court to impose a higher sentence.
Liew, he said, had committed the cheating offences against a public institution; he had committed a large number of offences over a prolonged period; the case involved an egregious abuse of trust and position by a public servant; and the offences were carefully planned out and executed.
Liew could have been jailed for up to 10 years and fined for each cheating charge; a fine of up to S$500,000 (RM1.21mil) and/or jail term of up to seven years for each offence.
THE STAR ONLINE
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