The Ministry of Public Security has announced the results of initial investigations on the case of misappropriating public property and intentionally violating State regulations on economic management that caused severe consequences at Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines).
Colonel Tran Duy Thanh, Head of the police agency in charge of criminal investigation and corruption prevention, C48, said in Hanoi on May 22 that the ministry’s Investigation Police Agency on May 19 issued a special warrant for Duong Chi Dung, Head of the Vietnam Maritime Administration, the former Vinalines Chairman.
The investigation agency concluded that the Vinalines leaders intentionally decided to purchase floating dock No83M at a cost of over US$14 million and build a VND6.5 trillion (US$309 million) ship repair factory in southern Vietnam, when these projects were yet to be included in Transport Ministry planning or submitted to the Government for consideration.
The total expense for the purchase, transport and repair of the floating dock and bank loan interests reached VND480 billion (US$22.8 million).
Based on investigation results, the Investigation Police Agency has decided to add a crime of intentionally violating State regulations on economic management that causes serious consequences and lodged legal proceedings against those charged with this crime.
The agency has ordered the arrest of Duong Chi Dung; Mai Van Phuc, Deputy Chief of the Transport Department under the Ministry of Transport, who was former General Director of Vinalines; and Tran Huu Chieu, Deputy General Director of Vinalines and Head of the Project Management Board.
Relating to the misuse of public property at Vinalines Shipyard Company, Colonel Thanh said on February 1, 2012, C48 unearthed many wrongdoings in repairing the floating dock No83M.
The agency decided to initiate legal proceedings in the case and arrest Tran Hai Son, General Director of Vinalines Shipyard Company; Tran Van Quang, Head of the company’s Planning Department; Tran Ba Hung, an official of Huyndai Vinashin; and Pham Ba Giap, Director of the Nguyen An-Nha Trang Company.
Those charged were found guilty to colluding with each other to misappropriate VND2.9 billion from the repair of the floating dock.
Tran Hai Son and others admitted their guilt and voluntarily paid back over VND1.2 billion.
Source: VNA
