Truong My Lan’s niece tells court she ‘did not want’ to defraud anyone

Truong Hue Van told the People's Court of HCMC Friday: "In my heart I did not want to defraud or take anyone’s money. I never gained anything from the scheme apart from my VND80 million (US$3,251) monthly salary."

She was the deputy CEO of An Dong and CEO of Windsor, companies that were involved in dozens of bond issuances that raised over VND30 trillion ($1.2 billion) from 35,800 investors, who have not been paid back.

Lan is accused of masterminding the scheme and is on trial, and 33 individuals, including Van, are being tried for helping her.

Van signed documents that helped Lan appropriate VND13 trillion from the bond proceeds.

She told the court she could not remember how many and what documents were given to her, and merely signed wherever she was told to.

She also claimed that she never participated in any meeting to discuss the bonds issuances, and simply followed directions from "above."

"I saw the signatures of other leaders and trusted them. I thought that the contracts had all been thoroughly reviewed. I know only now that I was wrong."

She offered up her family assets to compensate the victims. "I apologize for causing trouble to their families."

Most other defendants also admitted to their wrongdoing and not worrying about the consequences of their actions and expressed remorse.

Lan’s husband, Eric Chu, told the court that he was having heart issues and requested a medical checkup, and it was accepted. He will see a doctor on Monday.

Earlier this year niece and husband were sentenced to 17 and nine years for abetting Lan in embezzling money from Saigon Commercial Bank.

Both have appealed for lighter sentences. Lan was sentenced to death and has also appealed the verdict.