Singer charged with bribing official
SINGER Paulini has been allegedly caught bribing a government official linked to an investigation into a violent bikie turf war.
It is an offence that carries a maximum seven-year jail term. Police will allege the former Australian Idol favourite, currently starring in The Bodyguard musical, paid a corrupt Roads and Maritime Services employee to give her a fake, unrestricted NSW driver’s licence, even though she was not qualified to get behind the wheel.
However, the 34-year-old came unstuck because the RMS worker she allegedly bribed with $800, Faletausala Vaifale, was being looked at as part of an investigation into a series of shootings in Western Sydney involving Rebels and Finks bikies early last year. There is no suggestion Paulini is linked to any gang or bikie related activity.
Strike Force Tombolo officers identified Vaifale, 27, after learning she was distributing dozens of fake licences to family, friends and Rebels bikies.
Gangs Squad detectives served the Fijian-born singer, whose full name is Paulini Curuenavuli, with a court attendance notice on June 30, just days before she belted out the national anthem at the final of State of Origin match in Brisbane.
She now faces one charge of corruptly giving a benefit for agent and is due to face Mount Druitt Local Court on August 16.