Kian Eng Lee

Member’s name: Kian Eng Lee
Date of Hearing: 13 September 2022
Division: Singapore
Tribunal: Disciplinary Tribunal

On 13 September 2022 the Disciplinary Tribunal found that Mr Kian Eng Lee breached:

1. Article 39(a)(ii)E of the 22 May 2018 Constitution, in that Mr Lee “became Insolvent” being adjudged bankrupt on 28 May 2019 by the High Court of the Republic of Singapore.
2. Article 39(a)(ii)G of the 14 May 2019 Constitution, in that Mr Lee “pleaded guilty to, or been found guilty of (with or without conviction), any offence (criminal or otherwise, but excluding any offence relating to traffic infringement) before any Court in any jurisdiction (which, in the case of a finding or conviction has not been overturned on appeal) which in the reasonable opinion of the Board is likely to materially adversely reflect upon or affect the standing or reputation of the Company” in having pleaded guilty to and been convicted of:
   1. abetting by engaging in a conspiracy to commit criminal breach of trust of US$2,264,400 from a bank account;
   2. committing criminal breach of trust by dishonestly misappropriating S$30,000 from a bank account;
   3. committing criminal breach of trust by dishonestly misappropriating S$65,000 from a bank account;
   4. committing criminal breach of trust by dishonestly misappropriating S$309,150 from a bank account;
   5. committing criminal breach of trust by dishonestly misappropriating S$1,230,000 from a bank account as administrator of an estate;
   6. committing criminal breach of trust by dishonestly misappropriating S$8,000 from a bank account as administrator of an estate,
   by the State Courts of Singapore on 25 August 2021 with a total sentence of 6 years imprisonment.

Mr Lee did not attend the Disciplinary Tribunal Hearing and a denial of the Complaints was entered on his behalf.

Penalty and Costs:

The Disciplinary Tribunal found the Complaints sustained and imposed the following penalties:

Complaint 1:

• Forfeiture of membership, not eligible to reapply for membership until 1 March 2026 or the ending of his bankruptcy (whichever is the earlier).
• A lowering of his associated membership status from FCPA to CPA from the date of re-admission.

Complaint 2:

• Forfeiture of membership, not eligible to reapply for membership for a period of 20 years from the date of hearing.

The Disciplinary Tribunal imposed a contribution to CPA Australia’s costs of AUD$2644.26.