Corruption and illegal mining investigations in Thanh Hoa

Authorities in Thanh Hoa province have recommended the prosecution of numerous individuals following investigations into large-scale corruption involving mineral exploitation and real estate auctions.

In the mining sector, Nguyễn Anh Tuấn and ALMA Construction JSC are accused of illegal mineral extraction at the Tuong Son mine, with the value of illegally extracted minerals estimated at nearly 100 billion VND. Thirteen defendants face charges related to resource exploitation and accounting irregularities.

A new case involving Sand Mine No. 2 on the Chu River has led to a scheduled trial in Hanoi on October 29. Former Thanh Hoa provincial Vice Chairman Le Duc Giang and 10 other defendants are accused of violating regulations concerning the management and use of state assets. Prosecutors allege that Giang, alongside former officials from the Department of Agriculture and Environment and the Mineral Resources Division, caused significant waste through mismanagement.

Furthermore, representatives from Thien An Phat Mineral Company and Thanh Tam Construction and Trading Company face charges of resource exploitation violations, accounting fraud, and tax evasion. It is alleged that in 2022, a mining rights transaction valued at 62 billion VND was falsified as a 2 billion VND contract to evade taxes, resulting in losses exceeding 16 billion VND.

In the real estate sector, investigations into the Quang Thanh residential project have implicated Cao Tiến Đoan, Director of Dong A Real Estate Group, in a bribery scheme to secure a 255 billion VND land auction. The investigation alleges that Đoan provided significant sums of money to various officials, including former Provincial Party Secretary Do Trong Hung and former Provincial People's Committee Chairman Do Minh Tuan, to facilitate the auction win. The scheme was reportedly linked to securing funding for the Thanh Hoa Football Club.