Glenn Knight

Infobox Person
name = Glenn Jeyasingam Knight

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image_size =
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birth_date = 1945
birth_place =
death_date =
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education = University graduate
occupation = Former lawyer
spouse = Pathmavali Rengayah
parents =
children = None

Glenn Jeyasingam Knight (born in 1945) is a Singaporean lawyer. He was the first Director of the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) [cite news | title = CAD 'Doing Well in Dealing with White Collar Crime' | date = 22 September 1990 | publisher = The Straits Times] when it was founded in 1984.cite news | title = Lawrence Ang is Now Acting Head of CAD | last = Raj | first = Conrad | date = 23 March 1991 | publisher = Business Times Singapore] He lost his post in 1991 after being convicted of corruption in a much-publicised trial. In 1998, he was again tried and convicted for misappropriating money while in office.

Knight is married to Pathmavali Rengayah. The couple have no children.

Background

Knight was a student of Anglo-Chinese School. In the 1990s, he was the vice-chairman of its Old Boys' Association [cite news | title = ACS' New Home Geared for 1990s | date = 4 November 1989 | publisher = The Straits Times] and a member of its board of governors. [cite news | title = Prominent Old Boys to Head ACS Board | date = 8 November 1989 | publisher = The Straits Times] He studied in the University of Singapore in the 1960s, and played the guitar in a jazz band to raise money for his tuition fees. [cite news | title = The Rise and Fall of the Two Ks | date = 30 December 1991 | publisher = The Straits Times]

He joined the Singapore Legal Service in 1970 and rose through the ranks "with the speed and power of an Exocet missile," as Queen's Counsel Roy Allaway later described it. Soon he acquired a reputation for being a law enforcer who prosecuted criminals without fear or favour. News of his ability and integrity impressed the late David Marshall, so much that when he retired he offered to give Knight a full partnership in his law firm; however, Knight was content to remain in the Legal Service and declined the offer.cite news | title = Law Enforcer Got a Taste of Own Medicine | date = 20 September 1998 | publisher = The Straits Times]

Notable cases

In 1978, Knight was the deputy public prosecutor in the trial of former magistrate Khoo Hin Hiong. In 1983, he acted for the Prosecution again in the trial of Adrian Lim, who had murdered two children. In 1985, he was the senior state counsel and deputy public prosecutor who filed an affidavit on behalf of the Attorney-General requesting that the High Court cite five defendants for contempt of court over an editorial published in the "Asian Wall Street Journal" (AWSJ) on 17 October 1985. Titled "Jeyaretnam's Challenge", the editorial had questioned the "integrity and impartiality" of Singapore's judicial system. The affidavit led to an apology from the editor of the AWSJ. [cite news | title = Asian Journal Editor Delivers Apology to Singapore Court | date = 19 November 1985 | publisher = The Wall Street Journal] In 1986, he was the public prosecutor for the Commercial Affairs Investigation Departmentcite news | title = A Judge in Singapore has Committed Mr Tan Koon Swan for Trial in the High Court on a Single Charge of Abetting in the Commission of a Criminal Breach of Trust | date = 15 August 1986 | publisher = Lloyd's List International | page = 10] who filed charges against key people in Pan Electric Industries ("Pan-El"), such as Tan Kok Liang, [cite news | title = In Singapore, Mr Tan Kok Liang, Finance Director of Pan Electric Industries, Yesterday Pleaded Guilty to Two Charges of Committing Breach of Trust, in which Mr Tan Koon Swan was Alleged to have Abetted Him | date = 5 February 1986 | publisher = Textline Multiple Source Collection (1980–1994)] Tan Koon Swan, [cite news | title = International Corporate Report: Businessman Pleads Guilty in Failure of Pan-Electric | date = 26 August 1986 | publisher = The Wall Street Journal] and Peter Tham, [cite news | title = Mr Peter Tham Wing Fai, a Former Director of Pan Electric Industries, has been Arrested in Singapore and Charged with Two Counts of Criminal Breach of Trust and Three Counts of Forgery | date = 16 April 1986 | publisher = Textline Multiple Source Collection (1980–1994)] in the aftermath of the company's collapse. For his role in the Pan-El investigations, Knight was commended by then-Finance Minister Richard Hu in 1989. [cite news | title = Glenn Knight and Team Commended for Pan-El Prosecutions | date = 10 June 1989 | publisher = Business Times Singapore | page = 7] Knight also led the prosecution team in Singapore's first case of insider trading, that of former United Overseas Bank banker Allan Ng. [cite news | title = Allan Ng Pleads Guilty to Insider Trading | last = Davidson | first = Ben | date = 12 September 1989 | publisher = The Straits Times] [cite news | title = Allan Ng Gets a Year's Jail | last = Davidson | first = Ben | date = 17 September 1989 | publisher = The Straits Times] On National Day 1990 (9 August 1990), he was awarded the Public Administration Medal, Gold, for his work as Director of the Commercial Affairs Department. [cite news | title = Swimmer David's 'Biggest Prize' | date = 9 August 1990 | publisher = The Straits Times]

First investigation and trial

On 23 March 1991, Knight was suddenly replaced as CAD director by Senior State Counsel Lawrence Ang in a decision that shocked the local legal community. It turned out that Knight was under investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB). [cite news | title = SINGAPORE'S WHITE-COLLAR CRIME BUSTER UNDER INVESTIGATION. | date = 24 March 1991 | publisher = Reuters] [cite news | title = Glenn Knight questioned by CPIB | author = Gerry de Silva | date = 24 March 1991 | publisher = The Straits Times] After an investigation lasting more than two months—one of the longest probes into the conduct of a public servant in Singapore—Knight was arrested on 27 May 1991 [cite news | title = Glenn Knight arrested. | author = Conrad Raj. | date = 28 May 1991 | publisher = Business Times Singapore] [cite news | title = Glenn Knight arrested by CPIB | author = David Miller | date = 28 May 1991 | publisher = The Straits Times] and charged with corruption the next day. He was the first Singapore legal officer to face such charges. [cite news | title = SINGAPORE COURT CHARGES EX-WHITE COLLAR CRIME-BUSTER. | date = 29 May 1991 | publisher = Reuters News] Specifically, he was accused of cheating three businessmen into investing S$3,000,000 each into the former Batam Island Country Club on the Indonesian island of Batam, as well as giving false information to the CPIB regarding vehicle purchases, an application for a car loan, and his corporate investments. [cite news | title = SINGAPORE COMMERCE ADMINISTRATOR CHARGED WITH FRAUD | date = 29 May 1991 | publisher = Kyodo News] [cite news | title = The charges in detail AGAINST GLENN KNIGHT. | date = 30 May 1991 | publisher = Business Times Singapore] [cite news | title = What the eight charges are | date = 30 May 1991 | publisher = The Straits Times] The judge originally set Knight's trial to commence in October 1992, but changed his mind and brought it forward to September 1991 after the prosecution complained that its witnesses had been subject to intimidation, and investigating officers had received mysterious phone calls warning them to "watch out". [cite news | title = Glenn Knight's trial brought forward to September this year. | date = 2 July 1991 | publisher = Business Times Singapore] [cite news | title = Knight's trial brought forward to this year | author = Elena Chong | date = 2 July 1991 | publisher = The Straits Times] In July that year, his wife and two others were also arrested and charged over the Batam resort investments. [cite news | title = Mrs Knight and three others arrested on fraud charges. | author = Conrad Raj | date = 9 July 1991 | publisher = Business Times Singapore] [cite news | title = SINGAPORE CHARGES FOUR IN GLENN KNIGHT CASE. | date = 9 July 1991 | publisher = Reuters News] [cite news | title = Glenn Knight's wife charged with fraud and corruption | author = Gerry de Silva | date = 10 July 1991 | publisher = The Straits Times]

In a district court on 29 September 1991, Knight pleaded guilty to cheating then managing director of Trans-Island Bus Services Ng Ser Miang to try to make him invest in the Batam resort project, which had been planned by Knight and his wife. [cite news | title = SINGAPORE'S EX-CHIEF CRIME BUSTER PLEADS GUILTY TO CHEATING. | date = 30 September 1991 | publisher = Reuters News] In October, he was sentenced to three months in prison. [cite news | title = Former top crimebuster gets three months prison term | date = 3 October 1991 | publisher = Agence France-Presse] [cite news | title = Jail for former crime buster. | author = IAN STEWART | date = 4 October 1991 | publisher = South China Morning Post | page = 13] [cite news | title = Knight gets three months' jail term. | author = Selva Kumar | date = 4 October 1991 | publisher = Business Times Singapore] [cite news | title = Glenn Knight sentenced to three months' jail | author = Gerry de Silva | date = 4 October 1991 | publisher = The Straits Times]

Knight appealed against the sentence, and in March 1992 he managed to get his sentence reduced to a $17,000 fine and a day in prison. ["Knight v. Public Prosecutor" [1992] 1 S.L.R. 720. See also cite news | title = Singapore Court Frees Ex-Crime Buster | date = 1992-03-06 | publisher = Reuters cite news | title = Glenn Knight Wins Reduced Jail Term | author = Ian Stewart | date = 1992-03-07 | publisher = South China Morning Post cite news | title = Glenn Knight's 3-Month Jail Term Changed to Fine, One Day's Jail | date = 1992-03-07 | publisher = Business Times, Singapore] He served the jail sentence and paid the fine on the day it was announced. [cite news | title = Thank God, he says as he hugs the Bible after hearing | date = 7 March 1992 | publisher = The Straits Times] In deciding to reduce the sentence, High Court Judge L.P. Thean said that a "nominal custodial sentence" was sufficient given the mitigating circumstances in Knight's case. [In his judgment, Thean J. said, "I consider that the imposition of the nominal custodial sentence is appropriate in this case; I do not consider it at all a farce. It signifies that in the court’s view, the appellant must suffer a custodial sentence, albeit a nominal one, and also that, but for the very strong mitigating and other circumstances in his favour, a substantive term of imprisonment would have been meted out to the appellant": see "Knight v. Public Prosecutor", "op. cit." at para. 28. See also cite news | title = Trial judge 'Erred in Grouping all Commercial Crimes in One Category' | author = Charmaine Chan | date = 1992-03-07 | publisher = The Straits Times] In April, all charges against his wife in relation to his case were also dropped. [cite news | title = Glenn Knight Case - Attorney General Drops Charges Against 3 | date = 1992-04-11 | publisher = Business Times, Singapore cite news | title = Rest of Charges Against Three Dropped | date = 1992-04-11 | publisher = The Straits Times]

Aftermath of first conviction

Although the sentence meted to him was eventually reduced, the corruption case had left permanent damage on Knight's career as a civil servant. After investigations on him began in March 1991, he faced disciplinary hearings and his services were terminated on 26 March 1992. [cite news | title = Glenn Knight no longer in civil service | author = Gerry De Silva | date = 7 May 1992 | publisher = The Straits Times] The President also revoked the prestigious Public Administration Medal, Gold, that had been awarded to Knight. [cite news | title = Glenn Knight's N-Day Gold award revoked | date = 7 June 1992 | publisher = The Straits Times] In August 1994, the High Court struck Knight off the roll of advocates and solicitors, meaning that he could no longer practise law. ["Re Knight Glenn Jeyasingam" [1994] 3 S.L.R. 531. See also cite news | title = Former Government Prosecutor Disbarred | date = 1994-08-31 | publisher = Agence France-Presse cite news | title = Glenn Knight,, Two Others Lose Lawyer Status because of Criminal Convictions | date = 1994-09-01 | publisher = Business Times, Singapore cite news | author = Elena Chong | title = Glenn Knight Struck Off the Rolls | date = 1994-09-01 | publisher = The Straits Times] After being disbarred, Knight worked as a consultant in a public-listed company.cite news | title = Ex-DPP - A Noted Crime-Buster | date = 1998-06-16 | publisher = The Straits Times]

econd investigation and trial

In 1998, Knight was again charged in court—this time with criminal breach of trust by misappropriating money totalling $4,200 when still the CAD's Director on two occasions, in 1989 and 1990. [cite news | title = Former Singapore crime buster charged in court. | date = 2 April 1998 | publisher = Reuters News] [cite news | title = Glenn Knight charged with CBT. | author = Conrad Raj | date = 3 April 1998 | publisher = Business Times Singapore] This second charge caused Knight to resign from his job.

During the trial, the defence argued that the proceedings were invalid as Knight had been granted immunity by the Attorney-General's Chambers in 1991 from further charges arising from his corruption investigations, in exchange for him to plead guilty in the earlier trial. They argued that the latest set of charges stemmed from that investigation and thus were subject to the immunity clause. [cite news | title = Glenn Knight case an "abuse of legal process'. | author = Lim Seng Jin | date = 16 June 1998 | publisher = The Straits Times] [cite news | title = Probe was "upsetting', says Knight - No missing funds or dishonesty, says Knight. | author = Tan Ooi Boon | date = 17 June 1998 | publisher = The Straits Times] The CPIB revealed that it had been tipped off about the misappropriation of money only in 1997 by an unnamed informant. [cite news | title = Probe on Knight based on "tip-off'. | author = Tan Ooi Boon | date = 18 June 1998 | publisher = The Straits Times] The court ruled that the proceedings could continue because the 1991 probe into Knight's dealings did not investigate his misappropriation of money. [cite news | title = Judge gives go-ahead for Knight's trial. | author = Tan Ooi Boon | date = 23 June 1998 | publisher = The Straits Times] Eventually the court found him guilty of two charges of misappropriation and sentenced him to a $10,000 fine and another day in jail.cite news | title = Knight jailed for a day. | author = Lim Seng Jin | date = 3 September 1998 | publisher = The Straits Times]

Aftermath of second conviction

The second conviction left Knight even worse off than before. The company he was working for before his second trial refused to re-employ him. Jobless, he engaged himself in community work in his church, Covenant Community Methodist Church, and often visited a pub in Boat Quay of which his wife was a partner.cite news | title = Fall of a Crime Buster – From Bungalow to Three-Room Flat | last=Tan | first = Ooi Boon | coauthors = Lim Seng Jin | date = 20 September 1998 | publisher = The Straits Times] He faded quietly from public life. [cite news | title = How far will society go to forgive those who fail? | author = HELEN CHIA | date = 20 June 1999 | publisher = The Straits Times]

On 25 April 2007, he re-appeared in the news when he filed an application seeking court approval to be reinstated as a lawyer. His application was granted on 22 May 2007, making him only the sixth lawyer to be reinstated in the Law Society of Singapore's 35-year history. [cite news | title = Ex-CAD chief Glenn Knight seeks return to practising law | author = K.C. Vijayan | date = 25 April 2007 | publisher = The Straits Times] [cite news | title = Ex-lawyer Glenn Knight can practise again | author = Satish Cheney and Cheryl Fox | url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/277662/1/.html | publisher = Channel NewsAsia | date = 22 May 2007] He will be joining the law firm Bernard & Rada Law Corporation. [cite news | author=K.C. Vijayan | title=Ex-CAD Chief to Join Law Firm | publisher=The Straits Times | date=2007-06-22]

Notes and references

External links

* [http://www.brllawcorp.com Bernard & Rada Law Corporation]
* [http://www.cad.gov.sg Commercial Affairs Department, Singapore]
* [http://www.cpib.gov.sg Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, Singapore]

Persondata
NAME = Knight, Glenn Jeyasingam
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Singaporean lawyer
DATE OF BIRTH = 1945
PLACE OF BIRTH =
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =