SINGAPORE: Renowned eye surgeon Currie Chiang, who pleaded guilty on Thursday to tax evasion, faces a possible suspension from medical practice, her lawyers told the court.
Dr Chiang, who is liable to a jail term of at least six months, will face difficulties as a single mother to support her daughter, who is also a medical student, and her elderly mother, the court heard.
Dr Chiang was charged in September last year with three counts of tax evasion.
One charge was withdrawn on Thursday, with the courts proceeding on two counts.
For the years of assessment 2006 and 2007, she did not declare incomes totalling close to S$30,000. She faces a penalty of nearly S$118,000 -- close to four times the undeclared amount.
Her lawyers told the court that she was an illustrious medical practitioner.
Before setting up her own private practice The International Eye Clinic in 1993, 55-year-old Dr Chiang served in the Department of Ophthalmology in Singapore General Hospital, and was a consultant for the now-defunct Toa Payoh Hospital.
She "flew the Singapore flag proudly", having studied and practiced ophthalmology - a medical field involving the treatment and surgery of the eyes - in London, Manchester and Edinburgh, her lawyers said.
Besides working with prominent eye specialists in the United Kingdom and the United States, she was also known for her pro-bono work, providing eye treatment to villagers in Nepal and Batam.
Her peers at the Singapore General Hospital described her as "gentle and kind" as well as being an "excellent" ophthalmologist, the court heard.
But the prosecution said that tax evasion is a very serious offence and is not in line with public interest.
Dr Chiang's sentencing has been set for May 13.
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