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Former ‘Australian Idol’ Contestant Paulini Sentenced For Bribing Government Official

Former Australian Idol contestant Paulini Curuenavuli has been handed a six month suspended sentence for bribing a government official for an unrestricted driver’s licence, meaning she has avoided jail time for now.

The 35-year-old singer pleaded guilty in September to “corruptly giving a benefit from an agent”, and was sentenced today in Mount Druitt Local Court.

Nine News reports that court documents showed Curuenavuli had her learner driver’s licence suspended in March 2016, after she received 11 driving offences since first getting the licence in 2002.

After her learner licence was suspended, court documents said she paid a Roads and Maritime Services employee $850 for an unrestricted driver’s licence.

The charge of corruptly giving a benefit from an agent carries a maximum penalty of seven years in jail.

Paulini’s suspended sentence comes after former Australian Idol winner Kate DeAraugo avoided jail time last month, after being caught carrying weapons and drug driving earlier this year.

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