On July 31, a source from Lao Dong Newspaper confirmed that Dak Lak provincial authorities are continuing to expand the investigation into the case of forging environmental impact assessment reports occurring at the Phuong Nam Environmental Analysis and Measurement Center (PNE Environmental Center).
Of the 83 agencies and organizations signing environmental service contracts with the above center, there are many hospitals and medical centers in the area. Including: Ea Kar Medical Center; Lak Medical Center; Ea Sup General Hospital; Lao Hospital; Dak Lak Provincial Lung Diseases; Area 333 General Hospital; Cu Kuin General Hospital; Krong Pac General Hospital; Buon Don General Hospital.
In addition, PNE Environmental Center also signed contracts with many other private enterprises.
According to the investigation agency, fake environmental impact assessment reports do not accurately reflect the environmental situation. This process has impaired the effectiveness of environmental protection policies, causing long-term impacts on the ecosystem.
As Lao Dong reported, from October 2019 to 2024, the PNE Environmental Center has expired the Certificate of eligibility for environmental monitoring service activities. The unit does not ensure the capacity of personnel and laboratories.
However, Mr. Doan Ba Nhut Nhut, previously Director of the PNE Environmental Center (located in Thanh Nhat Ward, Dak Lak Province), still signed environmental service contracts with nearly 100 organizations and individuals in many provinces and cities such as Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Lam Dong and Ho Chi Minh City.
Mr. Nhut directed Tran Le Lam Phuong and a number of other employees of the PNE Environmental Center to forge 1,058 analysis and testing results of environmental monitoring. Thereby, illegally profiting billions of dong.
The defendants' criminal acts violated State management of the environment. This behavior not only harms the environment but also reduces people's trust in organizations operating in the environmental field.
In the process of expanding the investigation of the case, the authorities have initiated additional criminal proceedings for the crime of "Giving and Receiving Bribes".
At the same time, a decision was issued to prosecute 3 defendants against Le Trong Huy Truong - Head of the General Administration Department of Dak Nong Co Co VINACOMIN Company; Mai Thanh Tung - Deputy Head of the Environmental Safety Department of Dak Nong Co VINACOMIN Company and Le Manh Hung - Deputy Director of the District Medical Center (old).
The above defendants have reached an agreement with defendant Doan Ba Nhut to facilitate PNE Environmental Center to sign a contract with their unit.
For each signed, implemented and paid contract, defendant Nhut must deduct from 30 to 35% of the contract value to defendants Truong, Tung and Hung.
