HCMC – The Hanoi People’s Court on January 20 handed a suspended sentence of two years and six months to Mai Tien Dung, former chairman the Government Office, as he was convicted of abusing power while on duty.
The court found that Dung took advantage of his position and personal connections with businessman Nguyen Cao Tri to improperly approve a petition from Tri, despite not having the authority to do so.
Dung then directed subordinates to process the petition unlawfully and accepted a VND200-million thank-you gift from Tri.
Tri, through bribery and collusion, influenced officials from the Government Inspectorate, the Lam Dong Province Party Committee and the provincial People’s Committee.
These officials, abusing their power, manipulated the outcome of an inspection into Tri’s Saigon Dai Ninh property development project. They altered the conclusion from “cease operations and take back land” to “continue the project with an extended timeline,” causing significant harm.
Among those convicted were Nguyen Hong Giang, former director of Department II at the Government Inspectorate, who received a 24-month suspended sentence.
Tran Bich Ngoc, former director of Department I at the Government Office, was sentenced to 14 months and 21 days in prison, equivalent to her pre-trial detention.
Tran Duc Quan, former secretary of the Lam Dong Province Party Committee, was sentenced to five years and six months in prison for receiving bribery, while Tran Van Hiep, former chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, received a sentence of six years and six months for the same charges.
Nguyen Cao Tri, former general director of Sai Gon Dai Ninh Company, received a three-year prison sentence for giving bribes.
The court stressed the severe consequences of these irregularities, noting they severely eroded public trust, damaged the investment climate, and hindered national development.
The judges underscored the necessity of stringent penalties to deter corruption and maintain the integrity of public officials.
