Authorities claim that Nguyen Van Hau, chairman of Phuc Son Group, was prepared to spend tens of billions of dong to fund former Chief of Staff of the Mang Thit District Party Committee, Dang Trung Hoanh, for a specific purpose.

In connection with the case involving Phuc Son Group and related entities, Dang Trung Hoanh is being prosecuted for abusing his influence over officials to seek personal benefits.

According to the investigation, in 2017, senior officials visited Mang Thit District Party Committee in Vinh Long. Nguyen Van Hau, the chairman of Phuc Son Group, was present at the meeting. During the discussion, Hau proposed financial support for infrastructure and social welfare projects in the district.

Due to his close ties with senior leaders, Hoanh was selected as the intermediary for this support by both Hau and the Mang Thit District Party Committee. From 2017 to 2024, Hoanh repeatedly requested funds from Hau, receiving a total of more than 75 billion VND ($3 million), including 69 billion VND ($2.76 million) transferred directly into his personal account over 27 transactions and an additional 6.5 billion VND ($260,000) delivered in cash to the district committee.

Taking advantage of his control over these funds, Hoanh allegedly suggested and received approval from Hau to keep 700 million VND ($28,000) for personal use.

Investigators assert that Hau provided this money to Hoanh in return for reporting Hau’s contributions to social welfare projects to senior leaders, thereby influencing them to support Hau’s business activities.

Additionally, Hau requested that 8.5 billion VND ($340,000) be used to purchase land for the relatives of senior officials. Hoanh, in turn, asked the seller to kick back 110 million VND ($4,400) for his own benefit.

Documents obtained from the Mang Thit District Party Committee confirm that in 2017, Nguyen Van Hau personally negotiated financial support for the district to alleviate difficulties in infrastructure development and social welfare policies. It was agreed that funds would not be transferred directly to official accounts but would instead be managed by a trusted individual who would report to the Standing Committee of the District Party Committee.

Since Hau did not require financial statements or direct institutional transfers, he reviewed and approved specific projects each year based on district plans. The funding was disbursed in multiple installments, and unspent funds were carried over to the following year.

The District Party Committee instructed Hoanh and relevant agencies to maintain proper documentation for social welfare expenditures, such as housing and road construction. However, other expenditures were only recorded in summary reports. The Standing Committee of the District Party Committee reviewed and verified annual financial reports before submitting them to higher authorities.

During his testimony, Nguyen Van Hau admitted that his financial contributions were intended to ensure his efforts were acknowledged by senior officials, thereby securing business advantages.

Dang Trung Hoanh stated that in 2017, while serving as Secretary of the Mang Thit District Youth Union, he was chosen by Hau and the District Party Committee to manage and distribute the donated funds. He acknowledged receiving direct cash payments of 6.5 billion VND ($260,000) for the district and over 69 billion VND ($2.76 million) in personal bank transfers from Phuc Son Group.

Of the total, 58.5 billion VND ($2.34 million) was spent on social welfare projects and district operations. The remaining funds were used according to Hau’s requests, including 8.5 billion VND ($340,000) for purchasing land for senior officials’ relatives. Hoanh personally received 700 million VND ($28,000) from Hau for personal use.

Investigators determined that Hoanh personally profited by 810 million VND ($32,400), leading to charges of abusing his influence for personal gain under Article 366, Clause 3 of the Penal Code.

T. Nhung