Principal sentenced for embezzling 4.6 billion VND

After 3 days of first instance trial, on the afternoon of July 23, Vinh Long Provincial People's Court sentenced Le Huu Ri (59 years old, former Principal of Vo Van Kiet High School in Vung Liem District) to 20 years in prison for the crime ofEmbezzlement of property. With the same crime, Le Thi Do Quyen, Nguyen Thi Dao, Nguyen Van Sang (formerly clerical staff, treasurer, accountant of the school)received 7, 15 and 20 years in prison respectively.

According to the records, in 2010 - 2015, following the principal's instructions, Sang created a profile to register a stationery business and purchase and repair office equipment under Dao's name. This was done for the purpose of creating fake invoices for purchase and sale.

In addition, the male accountant also created fake documents and then sought help from an acquaintance who worked at the Vung Liem District Tax Department to obtain sales invoices for settlement. The male tax officer received "bribes" so he enthusiastically helped Sang, Dao, and Quyen whenever they asked.

When there is an invoice, Sang creates a payment voucher and submits it to Principal Ri for approval to complete the settlement procedure with the State Treasury of Vung Liem district.

Within 4 years, officials of the Vung Liem District Tax Department issued Vo Van Kiet High School 135 sets of invoices with a total of nearly 2 billion VND. In addition, Sang also created fake contracts for buying and selling land for planting trees and repairing electricity and water.In total, Vo Van Kiet High School made false financial statements and embezzled 4.6 billion VND from the budget. The entire amount was divided among the defendants for personal use.

As for the male officer of the Tax Department who was an accomplice in the case, he passed away earlier this year so the authorities did not proceed with the prosecution.