On 26/1, Nguyen The Quang, 67, was sentenced by the Gia Lai Provincial People's Court to four years in prison. He was found guilty of violating regulations on state asset management and use, causing loss and waste.

Former accountant Nguyen Thi Luu, 58, received a sentence of three years in prison, while Nguyen Ton Nu Huyen Vi, 35, was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

Nguyen The Quang at today's trial. Photo: Ngoc Oanh.

According to the indictment, the Office of the Gia Lai Provincial National Assembly Delegation and People's Council was authorized to spend on reception expenses. Internal regulations stipulated a maximum limit of 200,000 dong per serving, requiring complete and valid documents and vouchers for each expenditure.

However, during the 2013-2014 period, the unit disbursed reception funds without proper documentation to confirm the presence of visiting delegations. Additionally, payments were made to the wrong recipients. These irregularities involved a total of 331 vouchers, amounting to over 1.8 billion dong. Quang, serving as chief of staff and account holder, approved the payment of all these irregular vouchers.

At today's trial, the defendants admitted the charges. They explained that at the time, they were not aware of the wrongdoing. Defendant Quang asserted that he did not personally profit or falsify reception expenses, clarifying that the funds were primarily used for food and accommodation for visiting delegations from other provinces.

Previously, in 6/2023, the Da Nang High-level People's Court heard an appeal regarding a separate case. It sentenced Quang to eight years and six months in prison, Luu to five years and six months in prison, and Vi to a three-year suspended prison sentence. These sentences were for abuse of position and power while performing official duties, which caused damages of 2.3 billion dong.

Ngoc Oanh