Vietnamese Official Appeals 5-Year Sentence for Embezzling $160

A former civil servant in Vietnam, Nguyễn Thị Hằng, is appealing a five-year prison sentence handed down for embezzling a modest sum of just over 4 million Vietnamese dong, equivalent to roughly $160 USD. The case centers on accusations that Hằng, who was responsible for social welfare policies in Cự Khê commune, Hà Nội, forged signatures to improperly disburse funds intended for beneficiaries.

The initial trial in October 2025 found Hằng guilty of misappropriating funds. According to the first-instance verdict, Hằng failed to disburse a 1.4 million dong adjustment payment for a deceased war veteran and instead forged the veteran's wife's signature to finalize the settlement. She later transferred the money to the wife, who initially refused it before eventually accepting it after an apology from Hằng and local officials.

Similar irregularities were reported regarding a 2.7 million dong payment for a July 27th holiday, meant for the same veteran's family. Hằng allegedly forged the wife's signature again to process this payment. When the veteran's wife refused the money this time, Hằng returned it to the district's Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs department.

Hằng has reportedly changed her testimony during the investigation and did not admit guilt at the first trial. Her defense argued that the case lacked clarity on exculpatory details and requested further investigation. The Hanoi People's Court of Appeal has since temporarily suspended the current appellate trial, scheduling it to resume on August 24.