In Kherson, the cost of firewood for the Armed Forces was overestimated by more than half a million hryvnias

The head of the housing and maintenance department in Kherson was notified of suspicion of abuse of office during the purchase of wood for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the investigation, the state lost about UAH 600 thousand due to the scheme with inflated prices.

This was reported by the Kherson Specialized Defense Prosecutor's Office of the Southern Region.

According to the investigation, in March 2024, the suspect organized a scheme to purchase fuel wood for the military. He involved the head of the design and estimate team, who was responsible for organizing and conducting procurement.

The subordinate did not properly monitor market prices and rejected more favorable offers from other participants. Instead, the winner of the simplified procurement was determined by a pre-agreed entrepreneur.

In April 2024, the management of Kherson's KEV signed a contract with him for the supply of 977 cubic meters of hardwood firewood. According to the prosecutor's office, the price in the contract was almost twice the average market price.

As a result of these actions, the state suffered losses of about UAH 600 thousand.

The official is charged with abuse of office, which caused grave consequences, committed by a group of people with prior conspiracy. Investigators are currently deciding on a type of detention as a measure of restraint. Law enforcement officers are also identifying all those involved in the scheme and are working to compensate for the damage caused to the state.

Also in Kherson, they are checking whether the contractor of the Karabelesh hospital illegally received funds while the director was abroad. An employee of the hospital noticed discrepancies in the financial documents and reported them to the police.

In addition, the court seized the businessman's property on suspicion of negligence. A subcontractor overestimated the cost of work during a major renovation of a local college dormitory.

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