'Australian Idol' Star Sentenced After Bribing Government Official

Australian Idol star Paulini (full name Paulini Curuenavuli) has been sentenced today after pleading guilty to bribing a government official. 

The singer pleaded guilty in September to paying a Roads and Maritime Service customer service worker $850 for an unrestricted NSW driver's licence in July last year.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Curuenavuli has been handed a six month suspended jail sentence in a Western Sydney court today.

Court documents released this year revealed that the 34-year-old held a NSW Learner's permit until March 2016 when it was suspended after she was caught driving unaccompanied.

Curuenavuli reportedly contacted RMS employee Faletausala Feesili Viafale by text message on 6 July and was told a C class unrestricted licence could be obtained for $850.

read more:

• Australian Idol Star Facing Jail Time For Allegedly Bribing Government Official

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Viafale then instructed Curuenavuli to meet at Mount Druitt RMS office the following week and reportedly added an American driver's licence number to the musician's records and issued her an unrestricted NSW licence.

"This offence involved a high degree of premeditation, of planning and forethought," the police prosecutor said in court today.

"She has been a convicted of a string of driving offences — she was looking for an easy way out essentially.

"If a conviction is not recorded, the wrong message will be sent to the community."

Barrister Lisa Claire-Hutchinson told the court that Curuenavuli has undergone "significant rehabilitation" and completed a traffic offender's program before regaining her learner's permit last month.

Curuenavuli recently wrapped The Bodyguard musical in October which she played the lead role in.