Former EVN Binh Thuan director: 'I took whatever they offered'

Tran Ngoc Linh, 64, former director of EVN Binh Thuan, admitted to receiving over 2.329 billion VND in bribes from Tuan An Group after helping them win 23 bidding packages.

Linh, along with Nguyen Thanh Ngon, former director of EVN Binh Thuan; Truong Tan Dat, former deputy director; and Le Quang Nghia, former head of the Planning and Materials Department, stood trial for bribery at the People's Court of Lam Dong Province (formerly Binh Thuan) on 23/9.

Defendant Tran Ngoc Linh, former director of EVN Binh Thuan, testifies in court. Photo: Khai Nguyen. *Italicized*

Linh testified that in late 2016, Huynh Tuan An, chairman of the board and general director of Tuan An Group, visited EVN Binh Thuan's headquarters. An introduced his company's sales policies and proposed an off-contract profit-sharing agreement of 5-6% in exchange for assistance in winning bids for supply contracts.

Recounting the meeting, An stated that between 2017 and 2023, after winning 25 bidding packages, he paid over 10.3 billion VND in bribes to EVN Binh Thuan. Over 9.1 billion VND went to individuals, with the remainder allocated to holiday gifts and other company activities.

Linh stated he agreed to "facilitate Tuan An's bidding success" because he was familiar with the group's work on several bidding packages implemented by the Southern Power Corporation on Phu Quy Island in previous years. He found their equipment "met quality standards and local needs."

Linh then instructed Truong Tan Dat, head of the Planning and Materials Department, and subordinates to engage in illegal bidding practices, enabling Tuan An Group to win 23 contracts between 2017 and 2021.

Every year during holidays, Tuan An Group representatives would visit and deliver money. "I took whatever they offered," Linh said.

He confessed to receiving a total of 2.329 billion VND, as stated in the indictment, and pleaded guilty to the bribery charge.

Over 20 defendants on the first day of the trial at the People's Court of Lam Dong Province (formerly Binh Thuan), 23/9. Photo: Khai Nguyen. *Italicized*

After Linh's retirement in November 2021, Nguyen Thanh Ngon succeeded him as director. Ngon testified that during the 2022 Tet holiday, the chairman of Tuan An Group visited Linh's home. After Linh's introduction, they visited Ngon at the company, and the two parties continued the implicit agreement.

Ngon then directed Le Quang Nghia (former head of the Planning and Materials Department) to help Tuan An Trading and Development Company win two subsequent contracts (numbers 25 and 26). Afterward, Ngon received a total of 1.343 billion VND in multiple payments.

In court, Ngon admitted to directing subordinates to act illegally and pleaded guilty to bribery.

Truong Tan Dat, former head of the Planning and Materials Department and deputy director, reportedly received a total of 4.1 billion VND. Le Quang Nghia, former head of the Planning and Materials Department, received 460 million VND. Former employee Ta Thuc Thong also received 875 million VND from EVN Binh Thuan but claimed ignorance of and non-participation in his superiors' profit-sharing scheme.

The employees involved admitted they knew facilitating the rigged bids was illegal but followed their superiors' orders. They leaked information about procurement needs, product lists, and technical specifications. They also used inflated price quotes provided by Tuan An Trading and Development Company and its affiliates to create budgets; set specific technical parameters found only in Tuan An's products to give the favored company an unfair advantage, ensuring their bidding success.

Authorities allege Tuan An Group's winning of 25 contracts caused nearly 50 billion VND in losses to the state budget. To conceal actual profits, legitimize price inflation, withdraw funds for off-contract payments, and reduce tax liabilities, An also created and directed companies within the group to use dual accounting systems. He purchased 1,163 fake invoices from 11 companies, resulting in over 156 billion VND in tax losses to the state.