SCB Chairman declared receiving 20 billion VND Tet bonus, Ms. Truong My Lan cannot remember if it was 2 or 20 billion VND

On the morning of March 13, the trial for defendant Truong My Lan and her accomplices continued with the questioning of the lawyers.

In response to the question from lawyer Nguyen Van Hau (defending defendant Bui Anh Dung) about whether the defendant was the one who selected Dung as Chairman of the Board of Directors of SCB Bank? Defendant Truong My Lan denied.

Defendant Truong My Lan. Photo: Nguyen Hue

In response to this denial by defendant Truong My Lan, lawyer Hau announced Ms. Lan's testimony at the Investigation Police Agency. Accordingly, Ms. Lan stated that in December 2020, when Mr. Dinh Van Thanh (former Chairman of the Board of Directors of SCB Bank) took his wife and children abroad for medical treatment, he brought Bui Anh Dung to meet Ms. Lan and introduced him, saying, "Dung is a gentle person, so Thanh recommended him to be the Chairman of the Board of Directors while Thanh was abroad."

However, defendant Truong My Lan denied this statement: “No. Mr. Thanh only told me that he would let Dung be the chairman while taking his wife and children to get medical treatment.”

The defendants in the group of leaders and employees of SCB Bank all admitted to following the instructions of defendant Truong My Lan. Photo: Nguyen Hue

Lawyer Hau continued to announce the testimony of defendant Dung at the investigation agency. Accordingly, on the occasion of Tet 2020, the defendant was awarded 20 billion by Ms. Truong My Lan and on Tet 2021, she was awarded another 20 billion by Ms. Lan. However, defendant Truong My Lan continued to deny this testimony.

“The defendant remembers that Dung's wife and children also worked at SCB Bank. At that time, the defendant told Dung: "I am the chairman. It would be strange for a chairman to have a wife working here. Let your wife quit, let your children take their time, I will give you this money. I don't remember if I gave Dung 2 billion or 20 billion," defendant Truong My Lan testified.

In addition, defendant Truong My Lan continued to deny the indictment and the testimony of her subordinates that whenever she needed money, she would direct Truong Khanh Hoang and Tran Thi My Dung to inform Bui Anh Dung about which loans were from Truong My Lan and which loans were from Van Thinh Phat.

The defendants at the trial on March 13. Photo: Nguyen Hue

Responding to lawyer Nguyen Thanh Cong's question about whether there was any act of inflating the value of assets or adding more assets to make it sufficient, defendant Tran Thi My Dung (former Deputy General Director of SCB Bank) replied that there were two ways of doing it.

One is to use the money to pay off the old loan (principal and interest), if the assets are not enough, the old assets are raised to secure the new loan. The second step is to disburse the money to Ms. Lan to use. Specifically, Ms. Lan gives the assets, Dung contacts the valuation company, requests the valuation company to give the requested price to make the loan.

Defendant Dung also stated that during his working period at SCB Bank, he trusted and idolized Ms. Lan and worked with absolute loyalty.

Defendant Truong My Lan said her daughter sold a $1 billion building in Hanoi to fix the problem.

Defendant Truong My Lan said that her daughter is currently selling her house worth 1 billion USD in Hanoi. Defendant Chu Lap Co (Ms. Lan's husband) also hopes that the panel of judges will create conditions for him to remedy the consequences.

Strong arguments when defendants Truong My Lan and Do Thi Nhan beat around the bush

When the defendants Truong My Lan and Do Thi Nhan beat around the bush and did not answer the questions directly, the panel of judges and the representative of the People's Procuracy had strong arguments to question and clarify their criminal acts.

What do subordinates say about Ms. Truong My Lan's role at SCB bank?

The former Chairmen of the Board of Directors, General Director and Deputy General Director of SCB Bank all stated that Ms. Truong My Lan was the one who appointed the defendants.

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