Reporter charged for taking bribe from bar owner Photo illustration. Reporter Vo Thanh Tung at Phap Luat (Laws) Newspaper based in Ho Chi Minh City has been charged with “extorting money” after he was caught red-handed receiving a bribe of VND50 million (US$2,370) from a bar owner in Dong Nai southern province, a senior police officer said on Aug 17. Two of his accomplices including Nguyen Van Tai, 21, a student at Dong Nai University, and Duong Van Minh, 24, in Bien Hoa town, have been charged with the same crime. According to CAND (People’s Public Security) Newspaper, Vo Thanh Tung was caught receiving a bribe of VND50 million in cash at Wooshu hotel on Aug 7 from Tran The Duy Thanh, owner of the NTM bar in Vo Thi Sau ward, Bien Hoa town. Before his arrest, Vo Thanh Tung, whose pen name is Duy Dong, had penetrated into several bars including MTM in Dong Nai. He later wrote a series of stories to expose their violations. After some of his first articles were published, Thanh asked Tung to stop publishing stories about MTM. Tung later required a payment of VND200 (US$9,480). Thanh prepared the money and reported this case to police at the same time. When reached by Tuoi Tre, Pham Phu Tam, editor-in-chief of Phap Luat Newspaper, said that he has yet to receive any official information from investigators regarding this case. “I have instructed staff to contact CAND Newspaper for further detailed information. I know nothing about this case so I cannot give any comment,” he said. TUOI TRE