On March 19, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Procuracy indicted 86 defendants in the case that took place at Van Thinh Phat Group Joint Stock Company (abbreviated as Van Thinh Phat Group) and Saigon Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SCB).
Except for defendant Truong My Lan (former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Van Thinh Phat Group), all the other defendants have shown remorse and repentance.
Lan, who played a leading role, was charged with embezzlement, violating regulations on lending in the activities of credit institutions, and bribery.
However, according to the Procuracy’s assessment, Lan did not show remorse and instead blamed her subordinates and other defendants at SCB. Therefore, the Procuracy suggested permanently removing her from society.
Defendant Truong My Lan
According to the Procuracy, defendants Bui Anh Dung (former Chairman of the Board of Directors of SCB), Vo Tan Hoang Van (former CEO, Member of the Board of Directors of SCB), and Dinh Van Thanh (former Chairman of the Board of Directors of SCB; tried in absentia) committed the crimes of violating lending regulations in the activities of credit institutions and embezzlement.
These defendants actively supported Truong My Lan, causing significant damage to SCB, so they should be permanently isolated from society.
Defendant Nguyen Cao Tri
Defendant Do Thi Nhan (former Director General of the Inspectorate II, Government Inspectorate, State Bank, State Bank), was evaluated as committing the crimes of abusing positions and responsibilities while performing official duties, and causing serious consequences.
Furthermore, she received $5.2 million in bribes to cover up the wrongdoings of SCB, which constitutes the crime of “Receiving bribes.” The Procuracy assessed that this behavior seriously affected the reputation of state agencies and caused public outrage, so she should be permanently isolated from society.
Defendant Do Thi Nhan
Meanwhile, defendants Chu Lap Co (Lan’s husband) and Truong Hue Van (Lan’s niece) were determined to have committed the crimes of violating lending regulations in the activities of credit institutions and embezzlement.
However, the Procuracy acknowledged that these two defendants had “actively cooperated with functional agencies to clarify the nature of the case, sincerely confessed and acknowledged their criminal acts,” which were their first offenses. These are also mitigating circumstances suggested to be applied to these defendants. Regarding Chu Lap Co, the Procuracy assessed that there were no aggravating factors in his criminal responsibility.
Defendant Nguyen Cao Tri (former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Van Lang Investment and Education Management Joint Stock Company, Chairman of the Board of Directors cum General Director of Capella Company) was determined to have committed the crime of “Abusing trust to misappropriate property.” However, the Procuracy proposed applying multiple mitigating circumstances to reduce his criminal responsibility due to his remorse and repentance, as well as his payment of over VND 657 billion and $3.3 million in restitution.
Defendant Tri is one of the three individuals considered for reduced criminal responsibility due to actively participating in charitable activities, COVID-19 prevention, and contributing to the community (the other two defendants being Duong Tan Truoc and Truong My Lan).
During the trial of the defendants, the Procuracy also proposed that the People’s Court apply multiple mitigating circumstances, such as the defendants voluntarily or through family intervention, making payment and restitution for the consequences caused by their criminal acts; the defendants’ outstanding achievements in their work; the defendants all have good social backgrounds and it was their first offense…
