Trial of the "major case" at the Vietnam Register: Bribery to win illegal bids

On August 1st, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court continued the trial of the case involving the Vietnam Register (VR) and its inspection centers. The panel of judges spent time questioning the group of defendants related to bidding and procurement of inspection equipment.

The panel of judges presiding over the case involving the Vietnam Registering and Inspection Agency. Photo: HOANG HUNG

According to the case file, there are 280 vehicle inspection centers nationwide using 340 inspection lines supplied by 4 companies. Of these, Viet Net Co., Ltd. supplied 125 Beissbarth brand inspection lines. In order to supply these inspection lines, from 2015 to 2020, Viet Net Company colluded with leaders and individuals at the inspection centers to agree on extra payments outside of the contract, providing technical specifications of the equipment to the inspection centers to create suitable bidding documents, or using "satellite" companies to participate in the bidding process to facilitate Viet Net Company winning the bids.

Defendant Tran Lap Nghia, owner of three centers located at 62-03D, 71-02D, and 83-02D. Photo: HOANG HUNG

Defendants Tran Thi Mien Thuy (Director of Viet Net Company) instructed Tran Thai Son (Deputy Director of Viet Net Company) and Pham Hong Viet (accountant) to directly contact and bribe leaders and individuals at vehicle inspection centers with over 440 million VND. In court, both defendants Tran Thi Mien Thuy and Tran Thai Son admitted to the actions as charged in the indictment.

The defendants were released on bail to attend the trial. Photo: HOANG HUNG

Defendants Luu Thi Thanh Van (accountant at Vehicle Inspection Center 21-01S) directly colluded with Tran Thai Son to create bidding documents in violation of regulations, receiving a bribe of 23.5 million VND. Defendant Truong Thi Anh Van (accountant at Vehicle Inspection Center 73-01S) directly colluded with Tran Thai Son to create bidding documents in violation of regulations, receiving a bribe of 21.9 million VND.

Regarding the irregularities in the bidding and procurement of inspection equipment at the Vehicle Registration Department related to Viet Net Co., Ltd., the valuation of the inspection lines and equipment to determine the damages has not yet been completed. Therefore, the investigating agency has separated the violation of bidding regulations causing serious consequences to continue verifying, clarifying, and handling the matter according to regulations.

FINAL

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/xet-xu-dai-an-tai-cuc-dang-kiem-viet-nam-dua-hoi-lo-de-thang-thau-trai-phap-luat-post752116.html