Former Quang Ninh education leader’s assets frozen

The Ministry of Public Security's investigative agency has ordered the sizeable assets of Vu Lien Oanh, former director of Quang Ninh province's Department of Education and Training, to be frozen.

The decision aims to cover state budget losses caused by Oanh, 59, in a case of "violating regulations on bidding, causing serious consequences" that occurred at the department.

The assets include eight high-value properties in Quang Ninh province and a car.

In addition, the agency has also frozen two properties and a car, and blocked three savings accounts worth VND5 billion ($210,000) belonging to Ha Huy Long, 51, former deputy head of the education and training department’s planning and finance division.

Regarding this case, the agency plans to prosecute 15 defendants for “violating regulations on bidding, causing serious consequences” per the Penal Code. Of them, four are former officials of the education and training department, namely Oanh; Long; Ngo Vui, 64, former head of the department’s planning and finance division; and Pham Thi Hanh, 59, former deputy head of the division.

The investigators identified Oanh and Hoang Thi Thuy Nga, 48, chairwoman of the New Successful Journey Group Co., Ltd. (NSJ Group), as ringleaders.

As a representative of the investor, Oanh enabled Nga to win six procurement packages, of which two in 2019 caused losses of more than VND80 billion ($3.36 million) to the state budget.

After winning the bids, Nga paid VND14 billion ($588,400) to Oanh, VND14.8 billion ($622,000) to Vui and VND1.8 billion ($75,600) to Long.

During the investigation, the families of Vui and Long returned all the kickbacks to fix the consequences. Oanh also urged her family to pay back the sum she had received, but her family has yet to do so. Therefore, the investigation police agency has frozen her assets.