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Defendant Nguyen Cao Tri answering the judge during the trial on the morning of March 11. Video: Duy Anh |
On the morning of March 11, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court continued the first-instance trial of defendant Truong My Lan (68 years old, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Van Thinh Phat Group) and other accomplices involved in the misconduct at Van Thinh Phat Group, Saigon Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SCB), and related entities.
In this morning’s trial session, the police brought the defendant Nguyen Cao Tri (54 years old, from Lam Dong province, former Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of Van Lang Company; Capella Corporation) to the court for questioning by the panel of judges about his act of “Abusing trust to misappropriate property.” “
Answering the judge, defendant Nguyen Cao Tri admitted that the indictment against him is accurate.
The defendant Tri revealed that he became acquainted with Truong My Lan in 2017. Through his relationship with Lan, Tri received a total of 1,000 billion VND from Lan for 3 purposes, including: transferring 31.22% charter capital of Industrial Rubber Joint Stock Company, transferring charter capital of Saigon Dai Ninh Joint Stock Company and investing in a project in Hai Ha district, Quang Ninh province.
Defendant Nguyen Cao Tri at the trial on the morning of March 11.
“When I received information that Lan and her companions were prosecuted, I was very confused. I felt at risk that the amount of money I received from Lan could double. In the transaction, Lan arranged for a broker to be named. I felt at risk that Lan wanted to hide the transaction. I wanted to disclose the truth and decided to liquidate 3 contracts, while accepting the money. This led to my mistake,” Tri confessed.
According to defendant Nguyen Cao Tri, his family has paid over 700 billion VND to remedy the consequences, in addition to sealing off assets. Tri expressed his desire for his family to continue to fully rectify the consequences with cash.
Regarding the role of people like Nguyen Cao Duc and employees, subordinates, when I spoke, the employees worked. These people didn’t know what I did,” Tri explained.
At 10:30 am on the same day, the panel of judges concluded the questioning of the defendants. The trial session started with the questioning by the representative of the Prosecutor’s Office.
During the investigation process, the police seized over 9.3 billion VND in cash when searching Nguyen Cao Tri’s person and workplace. To date, this defendant’s family has paid over 640 billion VND to remedy the consequences. In addition, the investigative agency has attached 7 real estate properties.
