Trial of former Chairman of Dong Hieu Commune People's Committee
(Baonghean.vn) -On August 28, 2012, the People's Court of Thai Hoa Town opened a first-instance public criminal trial of defendant Nguyen Van Hung (born 1959, former Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Hieu Commune - Thai Hoa Town) for the crime of "Abusing position and power in performing official duties".
According to the prosecution of the Thai Hoa People's Procuracy: In 2003, implementing the Prime Minister's Decision on investing in the construction of the Ho Chi Minh Road Project, Phase 1, in Dong Hieu Commune, Thai Hoa Town, 13 households subject to land recovery were granted resettlement land, namely Mr. Le Van Thanh, Nguyen Chi Dung, Nguyen Van Hoa, Le Van Dai, Thai Van Thuong, Nguyen Trong Anh, Tran The Tai, Phan Van Son, Do Minh Son, Le Anh Trieu, Nguyen Bon, Tran Van Truyen and Ms. Nguyen Thi Que. In which, the land plot of Mr. Dung's household was partially transferred from Mr. Thanh but had not completed the transfer procedures according to the provisions of law.
On August 27, 2003, the Provincial People's Committee issued a decision approving the compensation value, site clearance for the opening of the National Highway 48 intersection, resettlement area and relocation of the Dong Hieu Commune Stadium. On September 10, 2003, Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - at that time Chairman of the Commune People's Committee - directed Mr. Truong Van Binh (traffic - irrigation officer) and Mr. Nguyen Nhu Dan (land officer) to collect land use fees for procedures to issue land use right certificates of 13 households with a total amount of 160,070,000 VND. After collecting the money, Mr. Hung directed not to pay it to the State budget as prescribed but to let Mr. Binh and Mr. Dan manage that amount themselves. During the process of the two officers managing the above amount of money, for the purpose of enhancing their own prestige and position, serving foreign relations and resolving some work of the People's Committee of Dong Hieu commune, Mr. Hung directed Mr. Binh and Dan to spend the amount of 133,870,000 VND.
The collection of money from households and the disbursements under Mr. Hung's direction were all without invoices, receipts, or payment vouchers in accordance with regulations. All of this money was not paid into the State budget, left out of the books, and spent against financial principles and against the law. Among these expenses, there were expenses for the commune's basic construction work and regular activities of departments and branches, as well as serving the activities of the Commune People's Committee. Although these expenses did not have valid invoices or documents, there was recognition from those who directly received the money. However, there were expenses for foreign affairs, receptions, tours, and support that were not eligible for disbursement from the State budget, but Mr. Hung still approved the disbursement. On the other hand, Mr. Hung himself received some of the money collected but could not explain how it was spent or for what purpose.
At the trial, the defendant confessed honestly, showed remorse; the defendant himself has a mother who is a martyr, and during his work, he has been recognized by all levels and awarded many medals and certificates of merit. Based on mitigating circumstances, the panel sentenced the defendant to 4 years in prison, applying point b, clause 2 - Article 281; points p, s, clauses 1, 2 - Article 46, Article 47 - Criminal Code. In addition, the defendant also bears civil responsibility to return the amount of 128,870,000 VND to 11 households.
Son Ha - Chau Yen
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