Head of Education Department from Chornomorsk pleads guilty to bribery

The Chornomorsk City Court of Odesa Region approved a plea agreement between the prosecutor and the head of the education department of the Chornomorsk City Council of Odesa Region, who was accused of taking a bribe.

According to the Center for Public Investigations, citing the court's verdict, under the agreement, the accused was sentenced to the minimum term provided for in part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - five years in prison, but this term was replaced by a probationary period of two years.

In particular, the official admitted that she had received UAH 105.6 thousand from the head of the contractor, Climate Control Service Limited Liability Company, as a kickback from a contract worth UAH 1 million 55.6 thousand. For these funds, she guaranteed unimpeded payment for the work performed on the installation of ventilation systems and maintenance of heating networks at the management facilities and the subsequent conclusion of contracts for budgetary funds with this enterprise.

She was detained in early June 2023. The head of the contractor was also detained. He also made a deal with the investigation and pleaded guilty to the same crime, and he was also sentenced to five years in prison with the deprivation of the right to hold positions related to the implementation of organizational, administrative and economic functions in local governments for two years. However, the actual sentence was also commuted to probation for two years.

Prior to the announcement of the verdict, both defendants were released on bail and were under house arrest. The head of the department was suspended from her position until the end of the trial. The court decided to recover UAH 105.6 thousand received as a bribe in favor of the state. In addition to her position, the woman is also a member of the Odesa District Council.

Кирило Бойко