Former Australian Idol contestant and star of The Bodyguard Musical Paulini Curuenavuli is set to face court for allegedly bribing a government official to obtain a driver’s licence. Looks like Paulini might need that Bodyguard after all!
The 34-year-old was not qualified to get behind the wheel, however it is alleged she paid a Roads and Maritime Services employee $800 to get a fake, unrestricted NSW licence.
According to NSW Police, there is CCTV footage of Paulini speaking to a staff member at an RMS in Mt Druitt. She then allegedly transferred the same employee the sum of money. If found guilty, she could face seven years in jail. The maximum jail penalty for corruptly giving a benefit to an agent is seven years.
Paulini shines in The Bodyguard Musical
It is alleged the RMS employee, 27-year-old Faletausala Vaifale, was handing out fake licences to more than just Paulini.
As reported by The Daily Telegraph, Vaifale was already being investigated for distributing fake licences to family, friends and associates of the Rebels bikie gang. (Now To Love is not suggesting Paulini was affiliated with bikie activity.)
Last year Vaifale plead guilty to charges of making a false document to influence the exercise of public duty, corruptly receiving a benefit while an agent and dealing with the proceeds of crime, and was sentenced to 12 months home detention.
Paulini rose to fame after coming fourth on the reality singing show Australian Idol in 2003. She’s currently the star of The Bodyguard Musical in Brisbane where she plays the lead role of Rachel Marron.
The singer-turned-actress is set to face Mount Druitt Local Court next week .
