On 5/2, Hoang Van Thang and four others were indicted by the Supreme People's Procuracy on charges of bribery.

In the same case, Nguyen Van Dan, former director of Hoang Dan Company, faces three charges: violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences, violating bidding regulations causing serious consequences, and bribery.

The remaining 17 individuals are accused of violating bidding regulations causing serious consequences or violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences. The Hanoi People's Court will hear the case, which involves a total of 23 defendants.

Former Deputy Minister Hoang Van Thang. Photo: National Assembly Media

According to the indictment, Hoang Dan Company primarily operates in agricultural and irrigation construction. This allowed its director, Nguyen Van Dan, to establish connections with many former leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and its subordinate units.

Leveraging these connections, Dan agreed to pay ministry and department leaders to obtain tender documents and data before bid invitations were officially issued. With this advance information, Dan instructed his subordinates to prepare bid estimates that were lower than the investor's projected costs. He also used fictitious experience profiles to ensure his company's participation and success in winning bids.

During the bidding process, Dan also sought assistance from Tran To Nghi, acting director of the Construction Project Management Department, to influence leaders of various project management boards. Dan agreed to offer a percentage of the contract value to leaders who supported and facilitated Hoang Dan Company and its joint venture partners.

Overall, Dan paid a total of 40,2 billion dong in bribes. This included 4,54 billion dong to Deputy Minister Thang, 13 billion dong to Nghi, 6,25 billion dong to former Director of Board 4 Nguyen Hai Thanh, and 13,4 billion dong to former Director of Board 2 Tran Van Lang.

Through these illicit activities, Hoang Dan Company won five tenders across four projects overseen by ministry boards, causing 251,7 billion dong in damage to state assets. Additionally, Hoang Dan used two accounting systems to legalize expenses, violating accounting regulations and resulting in nearly 100 billion dong in further damage to state assets.

After securing projects and tenders through illicit means, Dan developed closer ties with acting director Nghi and Deputy Minister Thang. In mid-2017, upon learning about the Ban Mong Lake project in Nghe An province, Dan contacted Thang to arrange a meeting at his private residence on Trung Hoa Street, Hanoi.

During the visit to Thang's home, Dan carried a paper bag containing 200,000 USD in 100 USD denominations. He placed the bag next to the coffee table, stating, "I'm offering this to you, hoping for your help." Dan also inquired about "the cost for ministry leaders" to prepare for future payments. Thang advised Dan to contact Nghi for a specific discussion regarding the percentage.

Nguyen Van Dan and some other defendants in the case. Photo: Ministry of Public Security

Given the green light, Dan proceeded to Nghi's office on Nguyen Cong Hoan Street to present his request to win the tender. Nghi agreed, confirming that "the deputy minister has also instructed it." When the company director asked about the percentage for off-contract payments, Nghi specified: "Ministry leaders get 5% and Board 4 gets 3%. Deputy Minister Thang has approved this total of 8%."

Following the successful bid, in 3/2018, Dan met Nghi at his home, carrying a bag containing 10 billion dong in 500,000 dong denominations. Dan placed the bag behind the living room door and said, "This is my gift to you for the Ban Mong project." Nghi simply replied, "Thank you," and they parted ways at the door without entering the house.

The procuracy alleges that Hoang Dan Company caused 51,4 billion dong in damage to state assets in the Ban Mong project.

During the investigation and prosecution, authorities seized 175 gold pieces and numerous assets. The families of the defendants and related individuals have voluntarily returned illegal proceeds and remedied damages totaling nearly 50 billion dong.