The Police Investigation Agency of Dak Lak Provincial Police on July 23 announced it has expanded its criminal investigation into the crime of "giving and receiving bribes".

Simultaneously, it has pressed charges against three individuals: Le Trong Huy Truong, Head of the General Administration Department at Dak Nong Aluminum Company-TKV (VINACOMIN); Mai Thanh Tung, Deputy Head of the Environmental Safety Department at Dak Nong Aluminum Company-TKV (VINACOMIN); and Le Manh Hung, former Deputy Director of the Medical Center of the former district of Lak (former Dak Lak province).

These accused individuals had an agreement with the accused, namely Doan Ba Nhut, Director of the PNE Environment Center (located in Thanh Nhat ward, Dak Lak province), who was previously charged and arrested by the Agency in December 2024. 

The agreement was to facilitate the PNE Environment Center in securing contracts with their respective organizations. In return, for each contract that was signed, executed, and fully paid for, Nhut was required to kick back 30% to 35% of the contract's value to Truong, Tung, and Hung.

This expansion of the bribery investigation is related to a case of "forgery and use of forged documents of an agency or organization," for which the Agency initiated a criminal case and pressed charges in December 2024.

The investigation determined that from October 2019 to 2024, the PNE Environment Center's Certificate of Eligibility for Environmental Monitoring Services had expired. Furthermore, the center lacked the required capacity in terms of personnel and laboratory facilities.

Despite this, Nhut proceeded to sign environmental service contracts with nearly 100 organizations and individuals across several provinces and cities, including Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Lam Dong, and Ho Chi Minh City. He directed Tran Le Lam Phương and other employees of the PNE Environment Center to forge 1,058 environmental monitoring analysis and testing result forms, thereby illegally profiting billions of VND (Vietnamese currency).

The fraudulent environmental impact assessment reports did not accurately reflect the actual environmental conditions, undermining the effectiveness of environmental protection policies and causing long-term damage to the ecosystem.

The defendants' criminal actions have infringed upon the State's environmental management. These acts not only harm the environment but also erode public trust in organizations operating in the environmental sector.

Whilst investigation is expanding to clarify the violations of other individuals involved, the authorities advise businesses and individuals to conduct thorough research before selecting reputable and legally qualified environmental service providers, in order to ensure full compliance with environmental laws and regulations.