On 8/5, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Police Economic Crimes Department temporarily detained Pham Van Nhi, former chairman of Lam Phu commune, formerly Lang Chanh district (now Van Phu commune). Also arrested were Le Van Tuan, Director of Tuan Hung Construction and Commercial Services Co., Ltd., and Nguyen Ngoc Tien, Director of Phu Khang Construction Consulting Co., Ltd. They are being investigated for abusing their positions and power while on duty.

Pham Van Nhi (in a white shirt) and two related suspects were arrested. Photo: Lam Son

Authorities allege that during the 2022-2025 period, the Lam Phu Commune People's Committee received 600 million VND in support from the former Lang Chanh District People's Committee. This funding was intended for the construction of one kilometer of rural road leading to Chao Pi village, a mountainous area still facing many difficulties.

During the project's implementation, the Lam Phu Commune People's Committee, acting as the investor, appointed Tuan Hung Company to execute the construction. Phu Khang Company was tasked with providing consultation and supervision for the project.

The investigating agency determined that the suspects conspired to divide the project into two bidding packages, each valued at under one billion VND. The total construction value, according to the approved estimate, exceeded 2.35 billion VND.

However, the construction unit only built approximately 177 m of concrete road, which was part of one route within bidding package 2. The design specified this route to be 511 m long. The remaining project items were not carried out according to the design and estimate.

Despite the project being incomplete and not meeting acceptance conditions, the group of suspects is accused of creating fraudulent documents. These documents falsely confirmed the completion of construction volume to legitimize the procedure for disbursing state funds.

Based on these fraudulent documents, the investor disbursed over 426 million VND to the construction unit, causing damage to the state budget.

According to the investigating agency, these violations occurred in a transport project in a mountainous region. This area suffers from inadequate infrastructure, and these roads are crucial for the travel and livelihoods of local residents.

The case also exposed numerous shortcomings in local investment and construction management, particularly in remote and isolated areas where inspection and supervision efforts are limited.

The Thanh Hoa Provincial Police Economic Crimes Department is expanding its investigation to clarify the responsibilities of all individuals involved.

Le Hoang