Nguyễn Thị Hồng (second from left), former vice chairwoman of HCM City, and other ex-officials at the Vietnam Rubber Group, have been arrested for their involvement in a scandal at the Vietnam Rubber Group. — Photo courtesy of the police

HCM CITY — The former Vice Chairwoman of HCM City People's Committee Nguyễn Thị Hồng has been arrested for alleged abuse of power during her official duties, the police said on Wednesday.

The arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into accusations of bribery and power abuse at the State-owned Việt Nam Rubber Group (VRG), and other related entities.

Hồng is also facing allegations of misconduct regarding a property development project in HCM City’s District 4.

Hồng, 69, previously held the position of director of the city’s Department of Finance and later served as deputy chairwoman in 2005 before retiring after a decade in office.

Currently, a total of 16 individuals implicated in the case have been prosecuted, including various ex-officials at the group, for accepting bribes and breaching regulations on the management of State assets, resulting in loss and inefficiency.

These actions have been sanctioned by the Supreme People’s Procuracy.

The investigation into the scandal remains ongoing. — VNS