ACU arrests Deputy Director at Ministry of Social Affairs for embezzling nearly $ 400,000
Jan 11, 2023

Cambodia News, (Phnom Penh): The Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has arrested Lay Samnang, Deputy Director of the Finance and Supply Department of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Alumni and Youth Rehabilitation, in connection with the embezzlement of nearly US$400,000 and related money laundering. The arrest took place on January 10, 2023, and the accused was sent to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for questioning on the morning of January 11.

Senior Minister Om Yentieng confirmed: "We announced his arrest yesterday (January 10) and we have been investigating this for about 13 months. We think he is now in front of the prosecutor." The investigation and arrest follow a complaint filed by the Cambodian Ministry of Social Affairs concerning money for the budget that went missing.

In this case, the Anti-Corruption Unit received a complaint from the Ministry of Social Affairs, and at the same time the Ministry also filed a complaint with the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, who sent the case on to the Anti-Corruption Unit for further investigation.

Soy Chanvichet, a spokesman for the Anti-Corruption Unit said: " In conclusion, after 13 months of financial investigations, the ACU discovered that Lay Samnang has embezzled 1,548 million riel, or about US$390,000, from the Ministry of Social Affairs."

UPDATE
July 6, 2023
3 year sentence for corrupt Ministry official who stole $300,00 from needy
Khmer Times
The former Deputy Director of the Department of Finance and Supply, Ministry of Social Affairs has been sentenced to 3 years in jail for a $300,000 embezzlement of funds intended for poor people with disabilities

Ms. Yi Sok Vouch, Judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, on the afternoon of July 5, 2023, announced the sentencing of Lay Samnang, 53 to three years in prison and a fine of 200 million riels, as well as having property confiscated, on charges of corruption, illegal exploitation and money laundering.

3 years?

Really?

give him 20

There’s so much to this story that unfortunately never sees the light of day.

A lot of officials abuse their power and nothing happens.

The ACU was ordered to arrest this guy with elections coming up. Obviously the people he knew weren’t more powerful than those interested in making and example of him.

But why?

Not a ton of public outrage articles on him.

So who did he cross? Or double cross? Or did offend someone’s wife?

Again, another true story that will never be told.
A shame.

newkidontheblock wrote: ↑Mon Jul 10, 2023 12:55 am There’s so much to this story that unfortunately never sees the light of day.

A lot of officials abuse their power and nothing happens.

The ACU was ordered to arrest this guy with elections coming up. Obviously the people he knew weren’t more powerful than those interested in making and example of him.

But why?

Not a ton of public outrage articles on him.

So who did he cross? Or double cross? Or did offend someone’s wife?

Again, another true story that will never be told.
A shame.

Don't think this arrest was linked to elections. The investigation started way before that.

Senior Minister Om Yentieng confirmed: "We announced his arrest yesterday (January 10) and we have been investigating this for about 13 months

But, yes, there's probably a story behind the story - like he got too greedy and was stealing from a state government department without authorisation. The Minister of Social Affairs must have been outraged since the article says they were the ones who filed the complaint (and hey, ho, it only took 13 months to investigate while the guy was fiddling the books, but at least it got done in the end.)