Documents seized in Mykolaiv in case of embezzlement by director of municipal utility company at traffic lights

In Mykolaiv, law enforcement officers are investigating a case of alleged embezzlement of over UAH 1.2 million in budget funds during the purchase of traffic lights for the city. The court has arrested documents of the companies involved in the criminal proceedings.

This is evidenced by the ruling of the Ingulsky District Court of Mykolaiv.

According to the investigation, the director of the Municipal Specialized Installation and Maintenance Enterprise, Hryhorii Patoka, allegedly ordered payment for traffic lights at the end of December 2025, although he probably knew that the goods had not been delivered. The amount in question is more than UAH 1.2 million, which was transferred to Kyiv-based Spetselektromontazh-7 LLC.

Investigators believe that the official, using his official position, ordered the payment despite the absence of goods. As of January 19, 2026, the utility company has not received the traffic lights.

According to the criminal proceedings, the money was paid on the basis of an agreement dated December 16, 2025. However, as of January 19, 2026, the utility company had not received the traffic lights.

The case also involves the director of a private supplier company and another official who, according to the investigation, is involved in the management of a number of related electrical engineering companies. Law enforcement officers are checking the possible involvement of these individuals in the procurement scheme.

In addition, investigators are analyzing other contracts between the utility company and Spetselektromontazh-7 LLC, concluded in 2023-2025. The total amount of these contracts exceeds UAH 15 million. The company was registered in April 2022, and its director is Vladyslav Simonov.

As Intent wrote, Patoka was notified of suspicion of misappropriation of budget funds in January. It is about the purchase of 68 traffic and pedestrian traffic lights. He began his work at the mayor's office in the capital construction department, where he later became the head. In 2021, he worked as an advisor to the mayor, and in June 2022, he became the head of the SMEP utility company.

In late April, law enforcement officers searched the companies' offices in Kyiv and seized documents that were recognized as material evidence in the case. The court agreed to seize them, noting that these materials could be important for further examinations and identification of all those involved.

Subsequently , Hryhoriy Patoka was granted bail in the amount of UAH 1.3 million and suspended from office.

Анна Бальчінос