Criminal proceedings begin against former health department director in Long An

 

Lê Thanh Liêm, former director of Long An Province's Department of Health, has been indicted for economic violations. — Photo tuoitre.vn 

LONG AN — The People’s Procuracy of southern Long An Province has indicted former director of the provincial Department of Health for intentionally violating State regulations on economic management and causing serious consequences.

According to the indictment, Lê Thanh Liêm was involved in the installation of security cameras at four agencies, including the Centre for Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Testing, the Centre for Forensic Inspection, the Sub-Department of Food Hygiene and Safety, and the Centre for Medical Assessment.

In April 2014, Southeast Asia Trading Services Co., Ltd, based in Tân An City in Long An Province, won a bidding package to install a security surveillance camera system, which was manufactured in Japan and cost VNĐ1.92 billion (US$82,690).

However, during the implementation of the bidding package, the origin and models of the imported equipment were alleged to be different from those in the signed contract.

The cameras were manufactured in China and Taiwan instead of Japan.

Liêm was fully aware of the switch, but failed to address the problem, causing losses of over VNĐ911 million ($39,230) to the State budget.

Liêm was the representative of the investor in accordance with the law. Thus, he must take full responsibility for the violations and resulting losses. — VNS