On 25/6, Anh was among former Vinh Phuc officials questioned by the Hanoi People's Court regarding violations related to Hau "Phao", chairman of the Phuc Son Group Joint Stock Company.

The defendant testified that he served as director of the Department of Construction from 2012 to 2017, then as secretary of the Vinh Yen City Party Committee and later as standing deputy secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. During his time as director, he received USD 20,000 and 100 million VND from Hau. In his subsequent two positions, he received 100 million VND from Hau on three separate occasions.

The prosecution alleges Anh was contacted by Hau, who asked for assistance in becoming the investor for a wholesale market project, "having already reported this matter to Ms. Lan, the provincial Party secretary". Anh agreed and actively supported Hau's company in securing the investor role and implementing the project. All five times, he received the money in his office.

While Anh held the position of standing deputy secretary, Hau continued to seek his support due to ongoing real estate projects in the province. During their interactions, Anh "suggested" Hau give him money four times between 4/2022 and the end of 2023, totaling USD 500,000 (approximately 13 billion VND) and 5 billion VND.

Investigators determined Anh received a total of 853 million VND in bribes (including 400 million VND and USD 20,000). The additional 5 billion VND and USD 500,000, received later, did not constitute bribery but violated anti-corruption laws and should be confiscated by the state.

Former Vinh Phuc Standing Deputy Secretary Pham Hoang Anh. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

Former Vinh Phuc Standing Deputy Secretary Pham Hoang Anh. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

Regarding this sum, the former deputy secretary testified that he "asked Hau" for assistance due to personal and family matters. Hau volunteered the money; Anh did not request it in exchange for favors related to Hau’s business.

Called to testify, Hau explained their families had a long-standing relationship as his mother and Anh's father worked together. They became "very close friends." When Anh asked for money, Hau willingly provided it "out of friendship, not for any specific purpose." Moreover, Anh was in charge of Party affairs "so he couldn't help the business in any way."

Anh concluded by expressing remorse for accepting the money. He asked the court for leniency for himself and Hau, describing the Phuc Son chairman as compassionate, dedicated to Vinh Phuc province, and supportive of the poor and Vietnamese heroic mothers.

10.5 billion VND and USD 800,000 in cash found at former Vinh Phuc chairman's home

During 15 years as a business owner, Hau allegedly spent 132 billion VND on 18 officials in Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, and Quang Ngai provinces to "clear the way" for 14 projects, illegally omitting over 2,000 billion VND in revenue to evade taxes, causing a total loss of 1,164 billion VND, according to the indictment.

Vinh Phuc has the most prosecuted officials in this case with 15 individuals, including two former provincial Party secretaries, Hoang Thi Thuy Lan and Pham Van Vong; former standing deputy secretary Pham Hoang Anh; and two former chairmen of the provincial People's Committee, Le Duy Thanh and Phung Quang Hung. Thanh and Lan are accused of receiving the largest bribes, 49.8 billion VND and 47.9 billion VND, respectively.

During a search of Thanh's home, investigators seized 10.5 billion VND and USD 800,000 in cash.

Former Chairman of the Vinh Phuc Provincial People's Committee Le Duy Thanh. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

Former Chairman of the Vinh Phuc Provincial People's Committee Le Duy Thanh. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

In court, Thanh stated he was "prosecuted while serving as chairman," acknowledged his wrongdoing, and requested his family repay all the money he benefited from "at all costs."

He testified that he had known Hau since around 2010, as they were from the same hometown and their families had a relationship. During his leadership of the provincial People's Committee, Thanh received money from Hau four times, totaling 20 billion VND and USD 1.3 million.

The first time, shortly after Thanh became chairman, Hau gave him USD 500,000. On another occasion, Hau brought USD 800,000, claiming it was "the difference from selling two land plots" according to company policy.

"What did you receive Hau's money for?", the presiding judge asked. Thanh did not answer directly, instead explaining that after giving him the money, Hau said, "Please help me with general matters." The projects Hau implemented had already completed legal procedures in 2012, before Thanh became chairman.

Regarding allegations of helping Hau expedite land acquisition and clearance, Thanh denied them. He claimed that, as chairman, he actively pursued this work for all businesses, not just for Hau.

Regarding the large sum of cash seized from his home, the presiding judge asked, "Where did you get so much money?". Thanh explained that his family of eight siblings had joint business ventures. Therefore, he "considered this to be the family's shared money."

Thanh has repaid 25.5 billion VND and USD 1.63 million, exceeding the amount he was accused of receiving in bribes.

The trial is expected to last 10 days. Among the 41 defendants, Hau is the only one tried for three charges: bribery, accounting violations with serious consequences, and bidding violations with serious consequences. Lan, Thanh, Anh, and other officials are accused of receiving bribes.

Pham Du - Thanh Lam