Australian Idol Paulini faces jail time for bribing a government official

Paulini Curuenavuli is the latest from the Australian Idol stable to land into hot water with the law, after allegedly bribing a government official in order to get an unrestricted driver's licence.

The ABC reports she allegedly paid an undisclosed amount of money to an employee of the Roads and Maritime Services for the licence.

The employee has since been 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 faces Mount Druitt Local Court next week, and could face seven years in jail.

A spokesperson gave the following non-comment: "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."

This comes at a terrible time for the ex-Idol, as she is currently undergoing a career revival in The Bodyguard Musical, playing the Whitney role.