Report on embezzlement at the Provincial Historical Archives Center

On February 14th, according to sources from Thanh Nien newspaper, the Ca Mau Provincial Police received the case file regarding irregularities at the Ca Mau Provincial Historical Archives Center, which was transferred from the Provincial Inspectorate. Immediately after receiving the file, the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ca Mau Provincial Police included the case in a report for verification.

The Ca Mau Provincial Police have received the case file regarding the illegal establishment of a fund and embezzlement that occurred at the province's Historical Archives Center.

"The Ca Mau Provincial Inspectorate has pointed out signs of the crime of establishing an illegal fund as stipulated in Article 205 of the 2015 Penal Code (amended and supplemented in 2017) and signs of the crime of embezzlement of assets, as stipulated in Article 353 of the 2015 Penal Code (amended and supplemented in 2017), occurring at the Provincial Historical Archives Center. However, we need to verify and investigate the matter thoroughly before taking action," the source added.

As reported by Thanh Nien newspaper, the Ca Mau Provincial Inspectorate has just concluded its inspection of the operation, management, and use of public assets and financial resources at the Provincial Historical Archives Center. Simultaneously, it has recommended transferring the case file regarding violations with suspected criminal elements at the center to the investigative agency.

Specifically, during the inspection period of 2013-2022, the Ca Mau Provincial Historical Archives Center was found to have received 455 million VND from various sources, including commissions, collective rewards, and the sale of scrap paper, but instead of depositing this money into the agency's fund, it established a welfare fund. The Center also failed to record this in its accounting system for tracking and management; did not create receipts or expenditure documents; did not maintain accounting records; and did not prepare financial reports. Expenditures from this source were not approved by the agency's collective but were decided solely by the center's director, without any supporting documents or documentation. According to the inspection report, this behavior shows signs of the crime of establishing an illegal fund.

Regarding the 3.6 billion VND that individuals returned as payment for document processing services, the Inspectorate determined that the amount reported by the center director as having been spent on supporting groups and individuals outside the center totaled 888 million VND. Verification revealed that 1 out of 7 groups denied receiving 8 million VND, and 52 out of 58 individuals denied receiving 373 million VND. This indicates that the aforementioned expenditures cannot be definitively confirmed as entirely real; currently, this money is no longer in cash and is not reflected in the bank account balance. The Inspectorate believes this act shows signs of embezzlement.

The inspection report also concluded that the establishment of a welfare fund was not reflected in the annual internal spending regulations; the income and expenditures were not approved by the Board of Directors or the center's collective. Currently, the accountant and treasurer of the Ca Mau Provincial Historical Archives Center have lost the signed list of those who paid the money, leaving only the data from the accountant's ledger.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/ca-mau-dua-vao-tin-bao-vu-tham-o-tai-trung-tam-luu-tru-lich-su-tinh-185240214170700352.htm