Nguyễn Minh Quân, former director of Thủ Đức Hospital, at the HCM City People’s Court on Friday. VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The HCM City People’s Court on Friday rejected the appeal of the former director of Thủ Đức City Hospital, upholding his original sentence of 21 years for embezzling VNĐ102.5 billion (US$4 million) through bidding violations and money laundering.

Despite making an additional compensation of VNĐ400 million ($15,600), the court upheld the verdict handed down at the end of last year for Nguyễn Minh Quân, including 16 years for embezzlement and five years for money laundering.

Quân’s actions had serious long-term effects and the compensation amount was insufficient compared to the embezzled funds, according to the court.

However, the court accepted the appeal of Nguyễn Lan Anh, former vice director of the hospital, and reduced her sentence to three years from three years and six months for violating bidding regulations, causing serious consequences.

The decision was based on her additional payment of VNĐ394 million, which rectified the consequences of her actions.

The court found Quân had pressured subordinates to award contracts to specific companies, personally benefiting from the embezzled amount.

He manipulated bids for medical equipment to inflate prices and embezzle funds, using shell companies and instructing subordinates to engage in fraudulent activities, according to the court.

His accomplice, Nguyễn Văn Lợi, director of Nguyễn Tâm Company, received a total of 15 years in prison for embezzlement and money laundering.

Quân’s wife, Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Diễm, received a suspended sentence of three years for money laundering.

The remaining five defendants, former officials of the hospital, received sentences ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 years for violations of bidding laws, causing serious consequences.

Quân and his accomplices were found guilty of violating bidding laws and causing significant losses to the State budget.

Quân had appointed companies established by Lợi to win bids and pay inflated prices for medical supplies and equipment, with the excess funds transferred to Quân and his wife for personal use.

Two former officers who accepted bribes from the hospital’s former director were sentenced to six and nine years, respectively, at a trial in Hà Nội in 2022. — VNS