The Security Service of Ukraine, together with the National Police, exposed a large-scale corruption scheme organized by officials of the Odessa City Council during the procurement of equipment for the Defense Forces.
According to the investigation, the former head and first deputy head of the Municipal Security Department of the Odessa City Council participated in the criminal scheme. They held a tender with a predetermined winner - a commercial structure controlled by them. It was this company that received the order for the supply of 300 radio stations with additional batteries for military needs.
The officials illegally included value-added tax in the contract price, although the supply of goods to military formations is exempt from VAT according to the law. As a result of the actions of the defendants, more than 1.6 million hryvnias of budget funds ended up in private hands.
The investigation is establishing the full range of individuals involved in the transaction, and is also investigating the possible involvement of other city council officials.
The suspect is charged with embezzlement of state funds on a particularly large scale. The sanction of the article provides for up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
Law enforcement officers emphasize that such crimes are particularly cynical, because money intended for the country's defense is used for personal enrichment.
