Former legislators, associates sentenced in major corruption case

The People’s Court of the northern province of Thai Binh on January 13 handed down verdicts to former National Assembly deputies Luu Binh Nhuong and Le Thanh Van as well as their associates for extorting property and abusing positions and power to influence others for personal gain.

At the court in Thai Binh province on January 13 to hand down verdicts to National Assembly deputies Luu Binh Nhuong and Le Thanh Van as well as their associates. (Photo: VNA)
At the court in Thai Binh province on January 13 to hand down verdicts to National Assembly deputies Luu Binh Nhuong and Le Thanh Van as well as their associates. (Photo: VNA)

Thai Binh (VNA) - The People’s Court of the northern province of Thai Binh on January 13 handed down verdicts to former National Assembly deputies Luu Binh Nhuong and Le Thanh Van as well as their associates for extorting property and abusing positions and power to influence others for personal gain.

Nhuong was sentenced to 13 years in prison in total, comprising three years for the charge of extorting property and another 10 years for abusing positions and power to influence others for personal gain.

Meanwhile, Van received a seven-year prison term and Nguyen Van Vuong, former specialist of the Legal Department at the Presidential Office, must serve 14 years in prison for abusing positions and power to influence others for personal gain.

Pham Minh Cuong, residing in Thuy Xuan commune of Thai Thuy district, Thai Binh province, was sentenced to 11 years and 3 months in jail, comprising seven years for asset extortion, and four years and three months in a previously announced sentence for asset extortion and illegal detention.

Vu Dang Phuong, residing in the district’s Thuy Truong commune, was given six-year imprisonment for asset extortion, and another two years and nine months in a previous announced punishment for causing public disorder.

The court’s documents showed that the defendants had orchestrated various illegal activities, including the extortion of assets from Sao Do Group’s Thai Binh branch, interference in civil court proceedings in Hai Phong city, and manipulation of project approval in Bac Ninh and Quang Ninh provinces. Those affected the social order and investment climate in the localities.

A significant portion of the case centred on the extortion of assets from Sao Do Group, which resulted in substantial financial damage.

As part of the verdict, the court ordered Nhuong to repay 7.1 billion VND (279,600 USD) to the State while Van must return 60 million VND. The court also acknowledged the voluntary settlement between Cuong and Sao Do Group, amounting to over 4 billion VND.

During the trial, all defendants expressed remorse for their wrongdoings and asked for leniency./.

VNA

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