District council deputy in Odesa region exposed for misappropriation of COVID surcharges

Law enforcement officers uncovered a scheme to illegally receive budget payments at a central district hospital in Odesa region. According to the investigation, the head of the medical institution for several years unreasonably accrued additional payments for working with patients with COVID-19.

This was reported by the press service of the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office.

According to the investigation, for several years, the doctor profited from payments intended for doctors who directly treated patients with coronavirus. He implemented the scheme from December 2020 to May 2023.

The head of the medical institution employed himself for several positions at once - a urologist and an ultrasound doctor in the COVID department. After that, he included his name in the lists of employees who received increased bonuses - up to 300% of their salary.

During this period, the chief physician signed 29 orders for the payment of COVID surcharges, in which he unreasonably indicated himself as the head of the hospital and as a part-time doctor.

As a result of such actions, the state budget suffered losses of more than UAH 630 thousand.

It is noteworthy that the chief doctor is also a member of the district council. The Podil District Prosecutor's Office has already notified the official of suspicion of abuse of office. Prosecutors have also filed a motion with the court to impose a pre-trial restraint on him and remove him from office. The pre-trial investigation in the case is being conducted by the Podil District Police Department.

A court in Odesa also seized documents in the case of embezzlement of salaries in municipal kindergartens in the Prymorskyi district. The investigation found that officials of five institutions paid salaries to fictitious employees and misappropriated budget funds.

The money was then distributed among directors, accountants and other officials. The investigation revealed the involvement of directors of several kindergartens in Odesa

Анна Бальчінос