Former Quốc Cường Gia Lai chairman speaks ahead of court deliberations

On the eve of the court’s deliberations, 22 defendants were allowed to deliver closing statements, including the former chairman of Quốc Cường Gia Lai. The case involves the Rubber Group (VRG) and related units at the Ho Chi Minh City court. The following is a summary of the closing remarks.

Remorse and explanation from the former chairwoman

Defendant Nguyễn Thị Như Loan, former chairwoman of Quốc Cường Gia Lai, said she understood her actions were wrong and illegal and expressed regret for what happened.

She said she had trusted confirmations from authorities. Specifically, she stated she believed the Department of Planning and Investment confirmed that the seller owned 80% of the capital and that related legal documents had been fully settled since 2010. She noted that although the transfer took place in late 2013 and July 2014, the department’s information remained unchanged during the four years before that.

Loan apologized to the company’s staff and more than 4,200 shareholders. She said she was deeply pained that her ignorance and misplaced trust had directly affected the rights and interests of current shareholders.

She added that she had devoted more than 32 years to society, the company, and its workers. She recalled the company’s contributions and recognitions from tax authorities, the provincial People’s Committee, the People’s Council, and charitable organizations, saying these acknowledgments helped her persevere during her leadership period.

Cooperation, claimed ownership of gains, and request for leniency

Loan said she cooperated fully during the investigation and admitted her wrongdoing. After she realized the wrongdoing, she and the company proactively sought to rectify the consequences before charges were filed, which she said was meant to demonstrate sincerity.

She also stated that the 297 billion VND in gains belonged to Quốc Cường Gia Lai, not to her personally.

Request for non-custodial reform and expected verdict timeline

Before the court, Loan pleaded for non-custodial reform to help salvage the multi-billion-dollar Phuoc Kien project. She said the project would bring substantial profits to shareholders and contribute 30,000 to 50,000 billion VND to the state budget. She also expressed a hope to travel to negotiate contracts with foreign partners to complete unfinished projects.

“After more than 32 years, it is time to harvest the fruits; I am more eager than ever to serve and contribute,” Loan said.

After the closing statements, the court was expected to deliver its verdict in the afternoon.

Payment and potential sentencing consideration

Prior to deliberations, Loan reportedly paid an additional 50 billion VND. Given prior payments by Loan and Quốc Cường Gia Lai, the court may consider reducing the sentence for Nguyễn Thị Như Loan to 18–24 months with a suspended sentence, depending on the circumstances.