Fijian-born Australian singer Paulini Curuenavuli has been allegedly caught bribing an Australian government employee under investigation for links to a bikie gang.
The former Australian Idol contestant could face a maximum jail sentence of seven years if found guilty of the charges.
It is alleged Curuenavuli – known publicly as Paulini – bribed a NSW Roads and Maritime Services employee with 800 Australian dollars to give her a fake, unrestricted NSW driver’s licence, despite not being qualified to drive.
NSW police allege that they have CCTV footage of Paulini in July of last year walking into the Roads & Maritime Services office in Mt Druitt. She later allegedly transferred money into the bank account of the RMA employee.
Paulini first shot to fame in 2003, placing fourth in the first season of Australian Idol. A number one single – Angel Eyes – and several albums followed. Most recently, she’s found new success on stage as the lead actor in the national touring production of Bodyguard: The Musical, which closes in Brisbane this weekend.
The singer is set to face court in Sydney next week, just two days after her touring commitments with Bodyguard come to an end.