Nghe An Court sentenced 2 former chairmen and 1 commune land officer for profiting from natural disaster relief money

On November 1, the People's Court of Nghe An province opened a first-instance criminal trial to try the case of "Abuse of position and power while performing official duties" against Luu Quang Thuong (born in 1954), Tran Cong Oanh (born in 1960) and Nguyen Van Hong (born in 1980), all former officials of Nghi Tien commune (Nghi Loc).

In which, Luu Quang Thuong was the former Chairman of the Commune People's Committee from 2004 to July 2014; Tran Cong Oanh - former Chairman of the Commune People's Committee from September 2014 to July 2020; Nguyen Van Hong - former agricultural land official from 2013 to September 2020).

Defendants Luu Quang Thuong, Nguyen Van Hong, Tran Cong Oanh (from left to right) at the trial. Photo: Nhu Binh

According to the indictment of the People's Procuracy of Nghe An province, from 2013 to 2018, natural disasters, storms, floods, and droughts occurred in Nghi Tien commune, causing damage to many agricultural production areas. Taking advantage of support policiesnatural disaster damageAccording to the State, Nguyen Van Hong advised, proposed and was directed by Luu Quang Thuong and Tran Cong Oanh to create fake documents requesting support in order to profit from the State budget.

After receiving the policy from the commune leaders, Nguyen Van Hong, as a land and agriculture official, created a fake application for support by adding more areas, results and households that were not damaged by storms, floods and droughts. After completing the list, Hong gave it to the commune leaders to sign and confirm and sent it to the Nghi Loc District People's Committee to request funding support.

The investigation agency determined that the total amount of money caused by the defendants' criminal acts to the State budget was more than 722 million VND. Defendant Nguyen Van Hong directly created fake documents requesting support in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, causing a loss of more than 722 million VND to the State budget. Defendant Tran Cong Oanh directed the creation of fake documents in 2015, 2016 and 2017 to get more than 331 million VND. Defendant Luu Quang Thuong directed the creation of fake documents in 2013 requesting support to get more than 180 million VND.

After the district transferred the entire amount, the defendants agreed to put it into the fund and use it for commune activities such as Tet gifts, union funds, sightseeing, tourism...

During the inspection process in early 2020, Nghi Loc district discovered and recovered more than 471 million VND. Nghi Tien commune People's Committee voluntarily paid back more than 85 million VND; the two defendants Tran Cong Oanh and Nguyen Van Hong voluntarily paid to remedy the consequences.

At the trial, the defendants admitted to the acts as charged in the indictment and presented the details, hoping the Council would consider reducing their sentences.

The trial panel determined that in this case, defendant Nguyen Van Hong played the main role, initiated and actively performed the act, so he must bear primary responsibility.

The defendants all confessed honestly, repented, had contributions to the revolution, achieved many achievements in their work that were recognized by their superiors; received petitions from local authorities and people to reduce their criminal liability; and proactively overcame the consequences... These are mitigating circumstances according to the law.

Considering the entire case, the role and position of each defendant in the case, the People's Court of Nghe An province sentenced defendant Luu Quang Thuong to 12 months of non-custodial reform; Tran Cong Oanh to 24 months in prison; and Nguyen Van Hong to 36 months in prison.

Regarding civil matters, because Nghi Loc District People's Committee did not request compensation, the panel of judges did not consider it.