Paulini Curuenavuli too busy to instruct lawyer after bribery charge

EX-AUSTRALIAN Idol star Paulini Curuenavuli has been too busy to properly instruct her lawyer after being charged with bribing a RMS employee to get an unrestricted NSW driver’s licence.

Australian singer Paulini Curuenavuli is appearing in The Bodyguard.

FORMER Australian Idol contestant Paulini Curuenavuli has been too busy to properly instruct her lawyer after being charged with bribing a RMS employee to get an unrestricted NSW driver’s licence.

Curuenavuli, who shot to fame in 2003 as a contestant on the first season of Idol, is accused of paying the Roads and Maritime Services worker $850 in exchange for the licence.

The 34-year-old did not appear at Mount Druitt Local Court today, with her lawyer Michael Korn telling the court he’s been unable to receive instructions from the singer as a result of her busy schedule.

Paulini is playing the role made famous by Whitney Houston. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

Curuenavuli is in the middle of a run in the musical The Bodyguardand is contractually obliged to adhere to the performance schedule, Mr Korn said. The singer’s performance in the Australian production of The Bodyguardis her stage debut.

The show, in which Curuenavuli plays the role of Rachel Marron, the character made famous by Whitney Houston, heads south to Melbourne from August 24.

Paulini’s starring role

The court matter has been adjourned to September 4 when it’s expected a plea will be entered.

Curuenavuli has been charged with corruptly giving a benefit to an agent.

She faces a maximum penalty of seven years in jail, if convicted.

A 27-year-old RMS worker was charged in July 2016 for making false documents and no longer works for the department, NSW Police has said previously.