Australian Idol star Paulini could face jail time
Australian Idol 2003 finalist and star of The Bodyguard musical, Paulini Curuenavuli, could face jail time of up to seven years if found guilty of bribery.
The 34-year-old allegedly bribed a NSW Roads and Maritime Services employee, who is currently under investigation for ties to a bikie gang, with $800 to give her a fake, unrestricted driver’s license, despite not being qualified to drive.
NSW police claim they have CCTV footage of Paulini walking into the Mt Druitt RMS office in July last year. They allege she later transferred the money into the employee’s bank account in return for the fraudulent license.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the employee in question is suspected to have been illegally distributing licenses to friends, family members and associates of the Rebels bikie gang. Paulini is not suspected of any involvement in gang activity, however.
The singer’s lawyer told the newspaper his client is taking the allegation very seriously. “She’s aware of the gravity of the charges and she has instructed us as her legal representatives to treat the matter with the utmost seriousness.”
Paulini is set to face court in Sydney next week on one charge of corruptly giving a benefit for an agent, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years.
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