# Corruption and misconduct investigations in Phú Thọ

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/corruption-and-misconduct-investigations-in-ph-th
> Updated: 2026-10-26T09:23:00.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 3.

Authorities in Phú Thọ Province have conducted several criminal proceedings targeting officials for corruption, bribery, and abuse of power.

Initial investigations led to the dismissal of Nguyễn Huy Ngọc, former Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, following his arrest for bribery related to the Vietnam Medical Investment Joint Stock Company. Other prosecutions involved former commune and land officials, such as Bạch Chí Điển and Hoàng Mạnh Dũng, who were accused of illegally selling over 1,100 square meters of public land—intended for tax offices, kindergartens, and medical stations—for personal gain between 2013 and 2018.

Subsequent investigations expanded to include high-ranking officials in Hợp Kim commune. The Party Secretary, Hoàng Văn Lộc, the Chairman of the People's Committee, Đinh Thanh Tùng, and the Deputy Head of the Economic Department, Bùi Trọng Nghĩa, were arrested for allegedly conspiring with private companies—specifically Công ty cổ phần đầu tư - thương mại 336 and Công ty cổ phần xây dựng Hợp Kim 889—to create fraudulent construction plans. These actions were intended to facilitate the illegal exploitation of natural resources and soil following landslides in late 2025.

In a recent development, police arrested Quách Chí Lâm for “taking advantage of influence over persons in positions of power to seek illicit profits.” Investigations indicate that in February 2026, Lâm and associates established the 336 Trade Investment Joint Stock Company to profit from selling leveling soil. Lâm allegedly bribed local officials to obtain nine illegal mineral recovery certificates covering 1.08 million cubic meters of soil. This scheme resulted in the illegal exploitation of nearly 238,000 cubic meters of soil, generating illicit profits exceeding 15.6 billion VND.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-26: Phú Thọ police arrest additional suspect in illegal mining case

Phú Thọ police arrested Quách Chí Lâm for using influence to secure illegal mining permits in Hợp Kim commune, resulting in 15.6 billion VND in illicit profits.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/man-arrested-for-attacking-medical-staff-in-vung-tau

### 2026-10-21: Phú Thọ officials arrested for illegal mineral exploitation

Several officials in Phú Thọ's Hợp Kim commune, including the Party Secretary and Commune Chairman, have been arrested for abusing their authority to facilitate illegal mineral exploitation.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lao-cai-police-arrest-two-more-in-hai-sapa-tv-investigation

### 2026-10-13: Phú Thọ authorities prosecute officials for bribery and land misuse

Phú Thọ authorities have prosecuted several individuals for bribery, illegal sale of public land, and fraud, including the dismissal of former Vice Chairman Nguyễn Huy Ngọc.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nguyn-tun-phong-appointed-head-of-hng-yn-propaganda-department

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Cite as: Corruption and misconduct investigations in Phú Thọ. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/corruption-and-misconduct-investigations-in-ph-th