A FREELANCE property agent was charged on Thursday with misappropriating a total of $21,000 from the mother of MediaCorp actress Sharon Au.

Evelyn Chua Hwee Lee, 37 is accused of taking $20,000 belonging to Madam Irene Ong Ai Siang, 55, on April 11, and another $1,000 from her the same month.

She told the court she needed time to settle her matters. Bail of $10,000 was set. She will be back on Nov 27.

Madam Ong was a former security staff with Singapore Press Holdings. Her daughter was voted one of the Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes in the annual Star Awards, an award ceremony for TV personalities. She left for Japan in 2005 for further studies.

If convicted, Chua faces a jail term of up to seven years and/or a fine.