Proposal to change charges against former Hai Duong Provincial Party Secretary
The Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Police Agency has requested the Supreme People's Procuracy to consider changing the charges against former Hai Duong Provincial Party Secretary Pham Xuan Thang.
On September 17, 2022, the Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Police Agency issued a decision to prosecute Mr. Pham Xuan Thang (former Secretary of Hai Duong Provincial Party Committee) for the crime of "Taking advantage of position and power while performing official duties".
On April 7, 2023, the Investigation Police Agency issued a decision to change the decision to prosecute Mr. Pham Xuan Thang from the crime of "Abusing position and power while performing official duties" to the crime of "Violating bidding regulations causing serious consequences".
On July 11, 2023, the Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Police Agency issued a decision to change the decision to prosecute defendant No. 11/QD-CSKT-P9 against Mr. Pham Xuan Thang from the crime of "Violating bidding regulations causing serious consequences" to the crime of "Receiving bribes" and sent an official dispatch requesting the Supreme People's Procuracy to approve.
According to the Investigation Agency, up to now, the Supreme People's Procuracy has not received any decision on approval or disapproval.
Regarding defendant Pham Xuan Thang, the Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Police Agency requested the Supreme People's Procuracy to consider approving the Decision to change the Decision to prosecute defendant No. 11/QD-CSKT-P9 dated July 11, 2023, to prosecute defendant Pham Xuan Thang according to the provisions of law.
The investigation results determined that Mr. Pham Xuan Thang took advantage of his position and authority as Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, head of the Hai Duong Provincial Party Committee, and took advantage of his duties in preventing and fighting the epidemic, with personal motives, to conclude and direct the approval for Viet A Company to enter Hai Duong province to conduct Covid-19 testing at the request of Mr. Nguyen Thanh Long (former Minister of Health).
The former Secretary of the Hai Duong Provincial Party Committee also did not direct the Provincial People's Committee and related departments and branches to survey and select suppliers with sufficient capacity and experience at low prices, saving the budget, businesses and people, but instead directed the Provincial People's Committee and related functional agencies to sign contracts and use testing and other medical equipment, supplies and biological products of Viet A Company.
Mr. Pham Xuan Thang also directed the Hai Duong Disease Prevention and Control Steering Committee to assign Hai Duong CDC to coordinate with Viet A Company to conduct large-scale screening tests, increase testing capacity, and create illegal revenue for Viet A Company...
The investigation concluded that, under Mr. Thang's direction, Hai Duong CDC legalized bidding procedures, signed contracts and paid more than 147 billion VND to Viet A Company from the State budget against regulations, causing a loss of more than 73 billion VND.
According to the investigation conclusion, the former Secretary of Hai Duong Provincial Party Committee was given 100,000 USD (equivalent to more than 2.3 billion VND) by Mr. Phan Quoc Viet.
During the process of Hai Duong CDC legalizing the bidding documents, signing the contract, and paying money to Viet A Company, after agreeing and receiving 27 billion VND in non-contractual percentage from Viet A Company, Mr. Pham Duy Tuyen (former Director of Hai Duong CDC) gave Mr. Pham Xuan Thang 600 million VND and 50,000 USD (equivalent to more than 1.1 billion VND).
The investigation agency assessed that Mr. Pham Xuan Thang confessed honestly, repented; actively cooperated to clarify the nature of the case; had excellent achievements in work; and had paid back all the money he received from defendant Phan Quoc Viet and former Director of the Center for Disease Control of Hai Duong province Pham Duy Tuyen.