With the charges reduced, the panel re-approached the sentences by taking into account earlier findings, the relevant aggravating and mitigating factors, and the appellants' relative culpability where applicable. He added that each of those capacities points to an external relationship between the person who is entrusting the property and the person who is being entrusted the property - a stark contrast to the "internal relationship" that CHC management board members entrusted with CHC property shared with the church. "The term 'agent' must therefore be interpreted in that light." In the written judgment, Justice Chao said: "The common thread that unites persons such as bankers, merchants, factors, brokers and attorneys is that they act in a certain trusted trade, profession, office or occupation which the public relies on or utilises to facilitate the course of commercial dealings when they act in the way of their business, carrying out or performing those trusted trades, professions, offices or occupations. Later, another $26 million was used to cover up the initial misdeed. The court found that they had invested $24 million from CHC's building fund in bogus bonds from music production firm Xtron and glass-maker Firna, and the money was used to fund the Crossover Project. In October 2015, the six CHC leaders were convicted of misappropriating millions of church funds to fuel the music career of Kong's wife, Ms Ho Yeow Sun, in a church mission known as the Crossover Project. The verdict was delivered to a packed courtroom, who started queueing as early as 1.30am yesterday to witness what could be the end to the high-profile case. Former finance manager Sharon Tan, 41: From 21 months to seven months. Former finance committee member John Lam, 49: From three years to 1½ years.Former finance manager Serina Wee, 40: From five years to 2½ years.Former fund manager Chew Eng Han, 56: From six years to three years and four months.Former deputy senior pastor Tan Ye Peng, 44: From 5½ years' jail to three years and two months.The other five also received reduced sentences: With the reduced CBT charge that provides for up to seven years in jail - down from the original of up to 20 years in jail and a fine - CHC founder Kong Hee, 52, was sentenced to 3½ years instead of the initial eight years.
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