Lac, 58, was sentenced to 21 months in prison on 24/9 by the Da Nang People's Court for abuse of power. Former chief accountant Bui Thi Truong Thao and boat captain Duong Quang Vinh, 46, received 15 months each. Former cashier Truong Thi Thuy received a 12-month suspended sentence.

Two business directors, Ton Thi Kim Lien and Le Minh Cuong, were also fined 450 million and 300 million VND respectively for illegal invoice trading.

Defendant Truong Hoan Lac (front) and accomplices in court. Photo: Dinh Em

Defendant Truong Hoan Lac (front) and accomplices in court. Photo: Dinh Em

Between May 2020 and March 2023, Lac, while serving as director, instructed his subordinates to create false fuel expense reports for an official boat. A total of 319 fabricated trips and 103 trips with inflated operating hours were documented to embezzle state funds.

Under Lac's direction, boat captain Duong Quang Vinh falsely logged over 531 operating hours and inflated the hours of 82 actual trips. These figures were used to justify over 665 million VND in fraudulent fuel payments.

Two private companies also participated by issuing hundreds of false invoices. Ton Thi Kim Lien, 35, director of Lien Hiep Phat Petroleum Co. Ltd., issued 137 fuel invoices and 15 lubricant invoices totaling over 317 million VND, earning over 15 million VND illegally.

Le Minh Cuong, 50, director of Thuan Nhan Phat Trading Co. Ltd., issued 135 fuel invoices for nearly 390 million VND, while the actual fuel delivered was less than 25 million VND.

After payment, former chief accountant Bui Thi Truong Thao calculated the difference and instructed cashier Truong Thi Thuy to collect the excess funds from the companies. A total of 650.5 million VND was withdrawn and used for internal expenses such as holidays, gifts, and charity.

Ngoc Truong