Convicted Billionaire Ong Spared Jail in Singapore Scandal (2)

Convicted billionaire Ong Beng Seng will avoid jail in Singapore despite his involvement in a gifting scandal that stunned a city-state known for being one of the world’s least corrupt nations.

The Malaysian tycoon, who gained international fame for bringing Formula One racing to Singapore, was granted the reprieve by a district judge at a sentencing hearing on Friday afternoon. He will be fined S$30,000 ($23,374), the judge said, citing his poor health and “judicial mercy,” which allows sentences to be reduced in exceptional cases on humanitarian grounds.

Ong, who came to Singapore at the age of four, will also ...