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ABC News
ABC News
National
By Lily Mayers

Singer Paulini allegedly bribed official to get driver's licence

Paulini Curuenavuli, the former Australian Idol contestant and star of The Bodyguard Musical, will face court after allegedly bribing a government official to obtain a driver's licence.

It will be alleged the 34-year-old paid a sum of money to a Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) employee in exchange for an unrestricted driver's licence.

NSW Police have confirmed Curuenavuli was issued a future court attendance notice on June 30 and is due to face Mount Druitt Local Court next week.

Police said she would be charged with corruptly giving a benefit to an agent, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of seven years in jail.

Ms Curuenavuli's lawyer said: "She is aware of the gravity of the charges she is facing. No further comment will be made at this stage given the matter is before the court."

A 27-year-old RMS worker, Faletausala Feesili Vaifale, of Emerton, pleaded guilty to three charges last year.

She was sentenced to 12 months' home detention for 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.

She no longer works for the department and has been disqualified from holding a civic office for seven years.

Curuenavuli is currently in Brisbane playing the role of Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard Musical, a character made famous by Whitney Houston who starred alongside Kevin Costner in the hit 1990s film.

The Fijian-born singer-turned-actress rose to fame on the reality TV show Australian Idol in 2003.

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