Prosecutors of the Sumy Regional Prosecutor's Office have completed the pre-trial investigation and submitted to the court an indictment against the head of one of the district departments of the Main Department of the State Service for Food and Consumer Protection in Sumy region and his deputy. Both officials are accused of extortion and systematic receipt of bribes, which is classified under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
According to the investigation, the managers demanded a monthly cash "reward" from representatives of small and medium-sized businesses for unhindered business activities. In case of refusal, the entrepreneurs were threatened with inspections, fines, and administrative pressure.
Law enforcement officers recorded several episodes of money transfers. The total amount of illegal benefits that the officials managed to receive is about 250 thousand hryvnias. In February 2025, both defendants were detained while receiving another bribe.
After the arrest, the officials were suspended from work. The court chose a preventive measure in the form of detention with the right to post bail: for the head of the department - 908 thousand hryvnias, for his deputy - 606 thousand. Subsequently, both suspects were released after posting the appropriate amounts.
The case has now been referred to court. If proven guilty, the officials face five to ten years in prison with confiscation of property and a ban on holding managerial positions for three years.
