Former State Bank of Vietnam inspection chief receives life sentence in Van Thinh Phat scandal

Do Thi Nhan, former head of the State Bank of Vietnam's inspection and supervision department, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday for receiving bribes related to the Van Thinh Phat scandal.

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Court also ordered Nhan to pay an additional fine of VND100 million ($4,000).

On the same day, the court sentenced Truong My Lan, chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat Group, to dealth, while her 85 accomplice received penalities ranging from suspended sentences to life imprisonment.

According to the jury, Nhan clearly knew Saigon Commercial Bank’s (SCB) situation but did not report it. Nhan met Lan through Vo Tan Hoang Van to discuss the violations. Lan asked Nhan to help SCB restructure. After the meeting, Nhan received $5.2 million via Van.

The jury said that Nhan instructed members of the inspection team to adjust the data and not put SCB under monitoring to receive a bribe of $5.2 million from Lan.

In court, Nhan declared that she had received $5.2 million to "protect her family". She claimed she had repeatedly contacted Van to return the money but failed to do so.

However, the jury assessed that Van had many opportunities to return the money. "Nhan even gave Van the password to her house so as the gift (money) could be left at her home."

Bui Anh Dung, former chairman of SCB, received a life sentence on charges of embezzlement of assets and violating regulations on banking and related activities. For the same crime, Vo Tan Hoang Van, former general director of SCB, received a life sentence.

Truong Hue Van, a nephew of Truong My Lan and general director of Windsor Real Estate Management Group, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for embezzlement of assets.

Chu Nap Kee Eric, husband of Truong My Lan, chairman of Times Square Investment Joint Stock Company, received a nine-year prison sentence for violating the regulations on lending by credit institutions or regulations on banking and related activities.

For the crime of abusing trust to appropriate property, Nguyen Cao Tri, chairman cum general director of Capella Company, received eight years behind bars.

Among the defendants that were wanted and tried in absentia, Dinh Van Thanh, former chairman of SCB, received a combined sentence of life imprisonment for embezzlement of assets and violating regulations on lending by credit institutions.

Chiem Minh Dung, former deputy general director of SCB, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for violating regulations on banking and related activities.

Tram Thich Ton, a board member of SCB, received 16 years behind bars for violating regulations on lending by credit institutions. For the same crime, Nguyen Thi Thu Suong, chairman of SCB, was sentenced to 17 years in prison.