Court dismisses chief doctor from Odesa region for embezzlement of budget funds

The court discharged the former chief doctor of Odesa region from criminal liability for embezzlement of budget funds. The proceedings were closed due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

This was reported by Anti-Corruption Dimension.

The Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi City District Court of Odesa Oblast has released from criminal liability the former chief physician of the city's multidisciplinary hospital, Ihor Desyatnyk, who was accused of embezzling local budget funds during procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The court closed the proceedings due to the expiration of the statute of limitations, noting that, according to the investigation, the total amount of losses exceeded UAH 111 thousand.

According to the case file, in April 2020, Desyatnyk, while holding the position of chief medical officer, entered into an agreement with Belsta LLC for the purchase of 200 protective coveralls and 200 pairs of shoe covers for a total of UAH 190 thousand without conducting a proper market analysis.

The investigation found that the purchased goods did not belong to medical devices, were not included in the list of products necessary to combat COVID-19, and their cost was significantly overstated. For example, the market price of one coverall was about UAH 318 instead of UAH 800 paid by the medical institution, and shoe covers cost about UAH 75 instead of UAH 150. According to the prosecution, because of this, Desyatnyk caused damage to the budget of more than 111 thousand hryvnias, embezzling and misappropriating funds.

The defendant himself did not admit guilt, but agreed to close the case. The court granted the defense's motion, citing the article of the Criminal Code on the expiration of the statute of limitations for minor crimes. At the same time, the civil lawsuit filed by the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi City Council to compensate for the damages was left without consideration, explaining that the community has the right to file it in a civil manner.

In Odesa, a doctor suspected of bribery will also stand trial. In exchange for $7,000, she allegedly promised to issue a fictitious diagnosis and disability group to a patient, acting in collusion with unidentified accomplices.

Анна Бальчінос