The defendants face charges of bribery, accepting bribes, and abusing their positions while performing official duties.

Key defendants include: Mai Tien Dung (former Minister and Chief of the Government Office), Nguyen Cao Tri (CEO of Saigon Dai Ninh Company), Tran Duc Quan (former Party Secretary of Lam Dong Province), Tran Van Hiep (former Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee), and several former officials from the Government Inspectorate and the Lam Dong provincial government.

Among them, Nguyen Cao Tri stands accused of offering bribes, while other defendants, including Tran Duc Quan and Tran Van Hiep, are charged with accepting bribes. Mai Tien Dung and two others are charged with abusing their official positions.

Allegations of corruption

The case centers around violations in land management and construction investment related to the Dai Ninh Project in Lam Dong Province.

An inspection by the Government Inspectorate resulted in Conclusion 929, which called for the project to be terminated and the land reclaimed. However, Nguyen Cao Tri allegedly conspired to overturn this decision by bribing officials and leveraging personal connections.

Tri is accused of offering bribes to officials in the Government Office, the Inspectorate, and the provincial government, influencing them to manipulate the inspection’s findings.

This resulted in Conclusion 1033, which allowed the project to continue with extended deadlines, contrary to legal regulations. The manipulation caused significant damage to public interest and undermined the legal process.

Key incidents of bribery

Tran Duc Quan, as Lam Dong’s Party Secretary, allegedly accepted bribes totaling 2.1 billion VND (approximately $86,000) over five transactions. He reportedly directed subordinates to process extensions and deferments for the Dai Ninh Project, circumventing legal requirements.

Tran Van Hiep, the province’s Chairman, is accused of accepting 4.2 billion VND (approximately $172,000) across seven transactions. He allegedly instructed staff to alter Conclusion 929, enabling the project’s unlawful continuation.

Mai Tien Dung, despite not being directly responsible for inspections, used his influence to intervene on behalf of Tri. Dung received two memos and two official letters to assist Tri, enabling the Inspectorate to form a task force to review the Dai Ninh Project. In return, Dung allegedly accepted a bribe of 200 million VND (approximately $8,200).

The trial is expected to last five days, including weekends.

T. Nhung