Defendant Mai Phan Loi's sentence was reduced by 3 months in the tax evasion case.
Former journalist Mai Phan Loi had his prison sentence reduced by 3 months to 45 months by the appeals court because his family paid 1.2 billion VND to remedy the consequences of being accused of tax evasion of nearly 2 billion VND.
The appeal verdict announced by the High People's Court in Hanoi at noon on August 11 stated: Of the 1.2 billion VND, 800 million was paid at the first instance trial and 400 million VND at the appeal stage.
Mr. Loi must pay the remaining 700 million VND to complete the compensation obligation of 1.9 billion VND.
Mr. Loi, 51 years old, former journalist, former Chairman of the Scientific Council, Center for Community Education and Communication - MEC, was assessed by the jury as sincere and had many achievements at work.
Same crimeTax evasionWith Mr. Loi, defendant Bach Hung Duong, 47 years old, former Director of MEC, had his sentence reduced by the panel of judges from 30 months in prison to 27 months because he was an accomplice in the role of assisting but did not benefit.
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Mr. Mai Phan Loi in the appeal hearing on the morning of August 11. Photo:Famous Places |
According to the verdict announced on January 11: In 2012, defendant Loi and two others contributed capital to establish the MEC Center. Mr. Loi held the position of Chairman of the Scientific Council, directly managing all activities. Duong was the director for the period 2014-2021.
The prosecution agency determined that from 2012 to 2021, MEC had a revenue of more than 19.6 billion VND, of which the least was more than 30 million VND per year and the most was more than 4 billion VND.
Mr. Loi was accused of directing Duong and his employees to withdraw cash but did not create service invoices or financial reports; did not submit tax declarations, and did not follow accounting regulations.
MEC is accused of evading nearly VND2 billion in value added tax and corporate income tax.
