The Hanoi People’s Procuracy has officially issued an indictment against Le Thanh Than, chairman of the Board of Directors and general director of Bemes Company, as well as chairman of Muong Thanh Group, charging him with the crime of “deceiving customers.”

Supplementary investigation results show that the amount of illicit profit allegedly gained by Le Thanh Than totals more than 496 billion VND (approximately USD 20 million).

Several former officials from the Kien Hung Ward People’s Committee and the Hadong District Inspectorate were also charged with “lack of responsibility causing serious consequences.”

They include Do Van Hung, former chairman of Kien Hung Ward; Nguyen Duy Uyen and Bui Van Bang, former deputy chairmen of the ward; Nguyen Van Nam, former chief inspector of Hadong District; and Vuong Dang Quan, former deputy chief inspector of the district.

Violations in the CT6 Kien Hung project

According to the indictment, beginning in October 2010, Le Thanh Than directed the construction of the CT6 Kien Hung project in serious violation of the 1/500 detailed plan previously approved by the People’s Committee of the former Ha Tay Province.

By November 2012, construction had been completed, and apartments were handed over to residents in January 2013.

Investigators determined that Le Thanh Than unilaterally changed the land-use purpose and built structures contrary to the approved planning.

For the high-rise buildings, he increased the floor area and building height, altered functional use, added extra apartments, and even constructed an entirely new tower, CT6C, which was not part of the approved plan.

In the low-rise section, he expanded construction density, increased the number of houses, and violated the boundary line known as the “red line.”

From March 2011, Le Thanh Than allegedly misrepresented the project’s legal status, advertising that it had been fully approved and complied with construction regulations, and that apartment prices included land-use rights  -  claims investigators say were false and intended to build trust among buyers.

Hundreds of apartments sold without legal ownership

Prosecutors allege that 488 apartments were sold to 488 buyers even though the units did not meet the legal conditions for being granted land-use and home-ownership certificates (commonly known as “red books”).

Through these sales, Le Thanh Than allegedly earned unlawful profits of more than 481 billion VND (approximately USD 19.4 million), including over 56 billion VND (about USD 2.25 million) in land-use value.

Authorities determined that the negligence of local officials in Kien Hung Ward and Hadong District allowed these violations to persist. Their failure to inspect and prevent illegal construction caused losses equivalent to the illicit gains, about 481 billion VND.

Court returns case for further investigation

At the trial held in August 2023, after questioning the defendants, the Hanoi People’s Court found several matters unclear and returned the case for further investigation.

The court also directed that any buyers not yet recognized as victims contact the Hanoi Police to ensure their rights are protected in accordance with the law.

Additional findings and restitution efforts

The supplementary investigation determined that Le Thanh Than’s illegal gains amounted to over 496 billion VND (USD 20 million).

Two property valuation reports established the total value of 519 apartments at the CT6 Kien Hung project at more than 548 billion VND (USD 22 million).

On February 22, 2024, Bemes Company sent a written statement to Hanoi Police, confirming that the company had reached agreements with several victims and repurchased 39 apartments in the CT6C building.

The company requested that these efforts be recorded and considered as mitigating factors for civil liability in the criminal case against Le Thanh Than and Bemes.

Police verified 39 liquidation contracts and accepted them as valid evidence for the Hanoi People’s Court to review when assessing financial responsibility.

The Hanoi Police maintained their position to prosecute Le Thanh Than and the related defendants.

Meanwhile, Mai Quang Bai, a former inspector in Hadong District also named in the investigation, passed away on November 23, 2024, leading authorities to close the investigation against him.

T. Nhung