Transport firm director who cheated 2 primary schools jailed, fined
In order to obtain school bus service contracts from two primary schools, he claimed that his transport company owned a fleet of 237 buses when, in fact, it had only one van to its name.
Singaporean Adrian Lee Chong Boon’s ruse caused the principals of Red Swastika School (RSS) and Coral Primary School (CPS) to award contracts to his transport firm, Sindoz Group, to provide its pupils with school bus services for the 2015 academic year.
However, Sindoz Group proved unable to fulfil its contracts prior to the start of the school year, forcing the schools to terminate its contracts and scramble for alternative transport providers. In doing so, RSS and CPS forked out a total of $58,830 for replacement bus services.
The 41-year-old, who is Sindoz Group’s director, was sentenced to 12 months’ jail and fined $4,000 at the State Courts on Tuesday (26 June) on two counts of cheating and one count of criminal breach of trust (CBT). The CBT conviction involved him using the company’s funds for his personal expenses.
Lee was also order to pay $48,380 to RSS and $10,450 to the Singapore government in compensation. Should he be unable to pay the amounts, Lee will have to serve an additional five months’ jail.
Lee started doing business through Sindoz Group around February 2014. The firm was a small one, with no physical office as well as only one vehicle, one driver, one freelance administrative assistance and one existing customer.
However, when approached by the two schools to quote for the provision of transport services in July and September 2014, Lee provided a list of 237 buses it supposedly owned with their specific models and passenger capacities.
Based on this false information, RSS awarded Sindoz Group a contract on 8 August 2014 and it was agreed that the firm would inform parents of the bus routes, pick-up and drop-off times between 1 and 15 December 2014. The firm began collecting money from 250 parents from 14 November and took about $48,000 to $49,000 in payments.
On 27 October 2014, CPS issued Sindoz Group a letter accepting its bid to provide school bus services. CPS engaged Sindoz’s services for 26 pupils, whose parents paid $3,790 to the company.
However, the schools were forced to cancel the contracts with the firm around the start of the school year when it was clear that it could not deliver on its promised services.
RSS terminated its contract on 31 December 2014, two days before the start of school, leaving its management committee to pay $48,380 for a replacement bus service provider.
Some CPS students were left in the lurch on 2 January 2015, the first day of school, when Sindoz Group deployed its sole Toyota Hiace van to pick up some pupils.
Those who could not be picked up had to be taken to school by their parents or by a standby bus operator. CPS terminated its contract with Sindoz Group that same day and spent $10,450 on a replacement transport provider.
Regarding Lee’s CBT offence, it was found that he had used $1,990.85 in funds from Sindoz Group’s bank account for his personal expenses between 20 December 2014 and 30 January 2015. Items he purchased included a $448 wedding ring, groceries, a mobile phone and maternity products.
In sentencing Lee, District Judge Kessler Soh said that despite the “ample and overwhelming evidence” against him, Lee had shown no remorse nor had he attempted to make restitutions with the affected schools.
Lee’s lawyer, T M Sinnadurai, said that his client intends to appeal against his conviction and sentence.
For CBT, Lee could have been jailed up to seven years, fined, or both. For cheating, he could have been jailed up to three years, fined, or both, on each charge.
Related story:
School bus provider found guilty of cheating, criminal breach of trust
