Singapore mega-church founder arrested; gov’t says $18M used for his pop singer wife’s career

Singapore - Authorities have arrested the founder of one of Singapore’s largest evangelical churches and alleged millions of dollars in church money was used to aid the career of his pop singer wife.

The Singapore Police Force said it plans to charge City Harvest Church founder Kong Hee on Wednesday with conspiracy to commit criminal breach of trust. The police statement Tuesday said four other church leaders would be charged with breach of trust and conspiracy to commit falsification of accounts.

The Charities Commissioner said at least $23 million Singapore dollars (US$18 million) of church money instead financed the music career of Kong’s wife. Ho Yeow Sun has put out a few Mandarin pop albums.

The charities statement did not give details.

City Harvest says up to 23,000 people attend its services.