Viet A Group's CEO admits to paying nearly 800 billion VND in 'commissions'.
The General Director of Viet A Technology Joint Stock Company, Phan Quoc Viet, admitted to inflating the price of Covid-19 testing kits by approximately 45% and paying nearly 800 billion VND in "commissions" to various organizations and individuals.
Lieutenant General To An Xo, Chief of Office and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security, provided the above information.
According to Mr. Xô, Phan Quốc Việt admitted that through price manipulation and bribery, Việt Á had "profited over 500 billion VND".
The Police Investigation Agency (Ministry of Public Security) is coordinating with relevant agencies to expand the investigation. The Ministry of Public Security continues to implement the requirements of the Central Steering Committee on preventing and combating corruption and negative phenomena to prevent and eliminate "future Viet A variants".
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| A Covid-19 test kit from Viet A Company. Photo:BN |
Authorities have frozen and seized numerous accounts and savings books belonging to Viet and other defendants from Viet A Company, including over 320 billion VND, 100,000 USD, and 20 properties. Specifically, Pham Duy Tuyen, director of the Hai Duong CDC, had 8 properties seized. Several related individuals voluntarily surrendered over 4.8 billion VND.
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| Lieutenant General To An Xo. Photo:Pham Du |
In connection with the case, over the past 20 days, the investigating agency has prosecuted 19 defendants. On December 17, 2021, Viet, along with three subordinates and Mr. Tuyen, were the first defendants to be prosecuted for criminal responsibility.Violations of bidding regulations have serious consequences.
Subsequently, Nguyen Nam Lien (Director of the Planning and Finance Department of the Ministry of Health), Nguyen Minh Tuan (former Director of the Medical Equipment and Facilities Department, Ministry of Health), and Trinh Thanh Hung (Deputy Director of the Science and Technology Department for Economic and Technical Sectors, Ministry of Science and Technology) were prosecuted for the crime.Abusing one's position and authority while performing official duties.
Mr. Nguyen Van Dinh (Director of Nghe An CDC), Mr. Nguyen Thanh Danh (Director of Binh Duong CDC), and several others have been prosecuted on charges.Violations of bidding regulations have serious consequences.
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| Suspect Phan Quoc Viet. Photo:Ministry of Public Security |
C03 determined that, in addition to colluding with officials and leaders of the CDCs to rig bids, the defendant Viet also bribed Mr. Tuyen with 27 billion VND. Therefore, Viet and Mr. Tuyen were charged with additional crimes.Giving bribes, receiving bribes.
The Ministry of Public Security stated that the case "caused public outrage and affected people's trust in the work of epidemic prevention and control, as well as the fight against corruption and negative practices." On December 29, 2021, the case was placed under the monitoring and direction of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption and Negative Practices.
