HANOI: The Ministry of Public Security’s Investigation Agency has concluded its probe into serious violations linked to Phuc Son Group Joint Stock Company and related organisations, recommending the prosecution of 41 individuals on various charges.
Investigators allege that Chairman of Phuc Son Group Nguyen Van Hau, also known as "Hau phao", paid VND132 billion (US$5.18 million) in bribes to former provincial leaders.
Among the alleged recipients of the largest amounts were Hoang Thi Thuy Lan, former party secretary of Vinh Phuc Province, and Le Duy Thanh, former chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, who reportedly each received close to VND50 billion.
In 2012, Hong (Red) River Thang Long Group Joint Stock Company was tasked by Vinh Phuc Province to develop a wholesale market project. After four years of inactivity, the project was marked for revocation.
Hau then allegedly approached Lan to negotiate the takeover of Thang Long Company’s shares, allowing him to revive the project.
Lan allegedly directed Thanh and Pham Hoang Anh, then director of the Department of Construction, to facilitate the move.
On June 30, 2017, Anh submitted a proposal to the provincial authorities to approve Thang Long Company as the project investor, despite incomplete documentation. The project was approved later that same day.
The investigation details how, in 2011, Hau sought backing from Quang Ngai provincial leaders to secure the southern Tra Khuc River embankment project. Cao Khoa and Le Viet Chu (then provincial chairman and vice chairman) reportedly agreed to assist Phuc Son Group.
The investigation confirmed that Phuc Son Group and the Quang Ngai Department of Transport signed a contract worth VND619 billion (US$24.8 million).
During the construction process, the Department of Transport allegedly failed to fulfil its management and supervision duties, allowing the chairman of Phuc Son Group to commit multiple violations, unlawfully profiting and causing state asset losses of VND93.7 billion (US$0.0037 billion). - Vietnam News/ANN
