The “bargaining” at the hotel
The Ministry of Public Security’s Investigation Security Agency has completed its investigation into a case involving Vietnam Oil Trading, Transport and Tourism Co., Ltd. and a number of agencies and organizations. The case file has been transferred to the Supreme People’s Procuracy (Vụ 1) with a proposal to prosecute 15 defendants for four groups of crimes, including “Bribery; Receiving bribes; Violation of regulations on the management and use of state assets causing loss and waste; and Taking advantage of positions and powers to influence others for personal gain.”
The investigation concluded that during the management and operation of Vietnam Oil’s gasoline business, defendant Mai Thi Hong Hanh, Chairman of Vietnam Oil, violated regulations on the management and use of the Gasoline Price Stabilization Fund and the task of collecting and remitting environmental protection taxes to the state budget, causing a loss of VND 1,463 billion.
To cover up the violations, Hanh and her subordinates at Vietnam Oil bribed several former officials. Hanh’s group bribed defendant Nguyen Loc An, former Deputy Director of the Domestic Market Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade, to obtain a license for exporting and importing gasoline.
Specifically, on August 22, 2016, Vietnam Oil was granted a license by the Ministry of Industry and Trade to export and import gasoline, valid until August 22, 2021.
As the license was about to expire, Vietnam Oil did not meet the conditions for a new license. Hanh looked for a way to bribe Nguyen Loc An for “assistance.”
In March 2016, Hanh met with An at the Victory Hotel in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. During this meeting, An agreed to help Hanh, stating that the “cost” would be between VND 5-7 billion, as this was the “market rate.”
In May 2016, at the guest house of the Ministry of Industry and Trade in the South (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City), Nguyen Loc An met with Hanh for the second time and received VND 100 million.
In August 2016, a delegation from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, led by Nguyen Loc An, inspected the premises of Vietnam Oil to verify the conditions for granting the license to trade in gasoline. On this occasion, An received an additional VND 250 million.
On August 19, 2016, Nguyen Loc An signed a document with a report on the results of the inspection of the conditions for granting the license. He proposed to grant the license to Vietnam Oil as the company met the conditions as prescribed.
Based on An’s proposal, Do Thang Hai, former Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, signed and issued the license to Vietnam Oil, valid until August 22, 2026.
Defendant Nguyen Loc An
Bribery with a luxury watch
After Vietnam Oil was granted the license, Hanh invited An to dinner and gave him a Patek Philippe watch. An sold the watch for USD 23,000.
Thus, based on the collected documents and the statements of the defendants and related persons, it was determined that in the process of applying for a license to trade in gasoline for Vietnam Oil, Mai Thi Hong Hanh bribed Mr. Nguyen Loc An with VND 400 million in cash and a watch worth USD 23,000 (equivalent to VND 521 million).
Apart from An, seven other defendants are also being prosecuted for the crime of “Receiving bribes.” However, only Le Duc Tho, former Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Ben Tre province, received valuable gifts from Hanh, including: a Patek Philippe Plus watch worth USD 421,000; a set of Honma golf clubs worth VND 1.1 billion; a luxury Mercedes S450 car worth VND 6.7 billion; and over USD 1 million in cash.
The investigation also revealed that on various occasions, such as birthdays and congratulations on assuming office, Hanh gave Tho three Patek Philippe watches worth a total of over USD 355,000.
The most extensive bribery case ever in Thanh Hoa: Numerous suspects prosecuted for “Giving and Receiving Bribes”
The Provincial Security Investigation Agency (PSIA) of Thanh Hoa province announced on January 31st that it has made the decision to initiate a prosecution against 23 individuals in connection with the offenses of “Accepting bribes” and “Giving bribes” as stipulated in Article 354(3) and Article 364(2) of the Criminal Code.
“Prosecution of government officials, land registration officers, and tax department employees in the largest bribery case ever”
The Thanh Hoa Police Investigative Agency has initiated legal proceedings against 23 individuals involved in the crimes of “Bribery” and “Receiving bribes”. This is the largest bribery case in terms of the number of suspects ever discovered and apprehended by the Thanh Hoa Police.
Determined to Build a Stronger Vietnam
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong emphasizes that the entire Party, people, and army are determined to build a more prosperous, civilized, cultured, and heroic Vietnam in accordance with the direction of socialism.
General Tô Ân Xô: Seizing multiple accounts, properties in the Xuyên Việt Oil case
The investigative agency remains determined to expedite the case, with a resolute and fierce spirit, without any prohibited areas, without exceptions.
Include 2 cases in the Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption to monitor
On the afternoon of February 1st, the Central Internal Affairs Committee held a press conference to announce the results of the 25th meeting of the Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption and Anti-Negative Behaviors.
