Goh Bee Hiang, a former administrative clerk at the Tampines Chinese Temple in Singapore, has been sentenced to 12 months in jail after admitting to embezzling over $150,000 in donations. Goh, 59, who had been employed at the temple since 1995, held a position of trust, managing the temple’s finances and issuing receipts for donations.
Between September 2018 and December 2019, Goh misappropriated funds, initially covering her actions by delaying the temple’s financial reporting. Her actions came to light at an annual general meeting in 2020 when she was unable to provide the necessary bank statements. Goh confessed to taking the funds to pay her late brother’s medical bills and offered a partial restitution of $5,000.
Despite her plea for a reduced sentence due to her age and financial situation, Goh received a 12-month jail term. Under Singapore law, criminal breach of trust can lead to a sentence of up to 15 years in prison and a fine.