The State Bureau of Investigation exposed the leaders of the ‘Lower Dniester Hydroelectric Power Station’ for embezzling 5 million hryvnias.
Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation based on SBU materials exposed a corruption scheme in which the management of “Nizhnyodnistrovska HPP” is involved. Officials embezzled 5 million hryvnias during repair work at the station facilities.
According to the investigation, the organizer of the scheme was the general director, who involved the head of the public procurement department and one of the company’s engineers in the illegal activity. The station concluded contracts with two private companies to perform repair works at artificially inflated prices. The tender documents were designed in such a way as to ensure the victory of pre-determined contractors.
Despite the detection of violations by the State Audit Service and the administrative responsibility borne by the head of the department, the concluded contracts were not revised. The total amount of four contracts amounted to almost 16 million hryvnias. They planned to strengthen hydrotechnical structures, arrange water drainage systems, and strengthen elements of the station’s infrastructure.
The examination testified that the actual cost of the performed works was underestimated by almost 4.8 million hryvnias. The investigation assumes that these excess funds were distributed among the participants of the criminal scheme. Compliance with safety standards during repair work is also checked. Currently, no threats to the stable operation of the HPP have been identified.
SBI officers conducted searches at the place of work and residence of those involved in the case. During the investigation, financial documents, digital media, mobile phones and cash worth about 25 million hryvnias in various currencies were seized.
Three persons were charged with embezzlement of property by abuse of official position, committed by an organized group, repeatedly, in large amounts under martial law (part 3 of article 27, part 5 of article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). They face up to 12 years in prison.
The possible involvement of other officials in the offense is also being investigated. Procedural management in the case is carried out by the Vinnytsia Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
