VietNamNet Bridge – The Supreme People’s Procuracy has prosecuted nine people for embezzling over VND3.4 billion in a bridge project funded by Japanese’s official development aid in Quang Ninh province.

They include Bui Tien Dung, ex-executive director of the Project Management Unit 18 (PMU-18), under the Ministry of Transport. Its budget received funds from overseas donors, including Japanese Official Development Assistance.

Dung and other seven companions, who were high profile officials under the Transport Ministry, are accused of “embezzling public property” while his former deputy, Do Kim Quy, was prosecuted for selling property embezzled by others.

The Bai Chay bridge building project was funded by Japanese credits and Vietnamese State budget. The Ministry of Transport was entrusted by the Government as the investor, of which PMU 18 was the representative with Dung assigned as executive director.

The suspects are accused of making ghost payrolls of consultants to pocket VND1.6 billion or almost half of the embezzled amount, and misspending the remainder against rules.

PV