Waste in the purchase of bulletproof vests, seizure of the property of the “Odesa” airport: the results of the NABU investigation
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office completed the investigation of two high-profile cases related to abuse of power and embezzlement of state funds.
For version investigation, in May-June 2022, the management of SE “Ukrpatent”, acting in collusion with a high-ranking official of the Ministry of Economy and the company’s chief accountant, organized the illegal transfer of UAH 251 million to a charitable organization under the pretext of purchasing body armor for the Armed Forces. In fact, no body armor was purchased, and the funds were withdrawn through fictitious companies and appropriated by the participants of the scheme. All those involved in the case have been charged with misappropriation, embezzlement or possession of property by abuse of official position, and the head of the charitable organization is also charged with legalization (laundering) of income.
Also, in 2011, two businessmen from Odessa organized a scheme, according to which, through the creation of a joint venture with the Odessa City Council, they gained control over the airport “Odesa” for the purpose of further privatization. The then mayor of Odesa contributed to this by misleading deputies about investment plans and committing official forgery. As a result of this scheme, the participants took possession of the property of the airport, which was not subject to privatization, and received surplus profits from its activity in the amount of more than UAH 2.5 billion.
It is noted, that on May 17, 2024, NABU and SAP reported a new suspicion to two Odessa businessmen and the former mayor of Odessa. Businessmen are suspected of providing a bribe to the former mayor in the form of a two-story penthouse in the center of Odessa with an area of 700 square meters. m.
