In Mykolaiv, a former police officer was sentenced for embezzlement

In Mykolaiv, a court found the former chair of a homeowners’ association—who also worked for the police—guilty of embezzling funds belonging to the building’s co-owners. Over the course of several months, she withdrew more than 163,000 hryvnias from the association’s cash register and bank accounts, funds that were intended for building maintenance. 

This was reported by Intent, citing the verdict of the Zavodskyi District Court of Mykolaiv.

According to the investigation, the former chairwoman of the “5 Abrikosova Street” homeowners’ association was initially a member of the association’s board and became its chairwoman in August 2021. At the time the crimes were committed, the woman was also working as a duty inspector within the Main Directorate of the National Police in Mykolaiv Oblast.

Taking advantage of her access to the association’s finances, she systematically withdrew money from the cash register under the pretext of paying for roof repairs, water supply, and other maintenance work, but in fact used these funds for her own needs.

Case materials indicate that between July and August 2021, the woman withdrew tens of thousands of hryvnias from the HOA’s cash register, ostensibly to purchase materials and carry out repair work. A portion of these funds was never used for their intended purpose. After being elected chair of the board, she gained access to the association’s bank account and debit card, through which she continued to withdraw money.

From August 2021 to February 2022, she regularly withdrew cash from ATMs in Mykolaiv and transferred funds from the HOA’s account to her own bank card. In total, over 89,600 hryvnias were embezzled from the association’s accounts, with an additional 74,000 hryvnias taken through cash transactions. The total amount of losses amounted to 163,812 hryvnias.

In June 2026, the prosecutor and the former official entered into a plea agreement. The woman fully admitted her guilt and agreed to the sentence.

The court took into account that she had no prior convictions, has two minor children, has received positive character references, and has fully compensated for the damages caused. Precisely because of this compensation, the representative of the homeowners’ association requested that the civil claim be dismissed.

The court sentenced the woman to three years in prison. At the same time, she was granted a suspended sentence for a probationary period of one year and six months. The court also ordered the convicted woman to pay over 11,800 hryvnias in court costs for expert examinations. Additionally, the court lifted the seizure of her apartment.

Also in Pervomaisk, a court brought a corruption case involving the leasing of municipal property to a close. The head of a local printing house was sentenced after offering a businesswoman the use of additional space in exchange for a bribe.

Анна Бальчінос