In Mykolaiv Oblast, a chief physician is suspected of embezzlement in connection with the renovation of a medical facility

More than 4.6 million hryvnias, which were supposed to be used to repair a district hospital in the Mykolaiv region, were embezzled using forged documents. Law enforcement officials have notified the hospital’s chief physician that she is a suspect, and the contractor has been placed on an international wanted list.

This was reported by the press office of the Mykolaiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.

According to the investigation, the chief physician of one of the district hospitals, exploiting her official position, signed documents containing knowingly false information while executing a contract for the hospital’s renovation. These documents stated that construction materials had been purchased for the work, the necessary work had been completed, and the materials had been transferred to the contractor for safekeeping.

<picture></picture>PHOTO: myk.gp.gov.ua

However, investigators determined that the construction materials listed in the documents had not actually been purchased. Instead, the contractor illegally received over 4.6 million hryvnias transferred from the budget.

During a search of the hospital director’s residence, law enforcement officers seized 185,800 hryvnias in cash, seven bank cards, digital devices, electronic storage media, and a notebook containing draft notes that may serve as evidence.

Prosecutors have now filed motions with the court requesting that the official be placed in pretrial detention and suspended from her official duties.

<picture></picture>PHOTO: myk.gp.gov.ua

The prosecutor’s office also reported that an indictment has already been filed with the court against a contractor believed to be the direct perpetrator of the scheme to embezzle budget funds. According to the investigation, he is in hiding abroad and has therefore been placed on an international wanted list.

As Intent reported back in March, investigators determined that the management of the “Bereznehuvate Multidisciplinary Hospital” and the then-director of “Juventa-Group Ukraine” LLC had entered into a contract for the renovation of the hospital’s outpatient clinic. 

<picture></picture>PHOTO: myk.gp.gov.ua

According to law enforcement officials, the contractor carrying out the renovation work submitted completion reports containing false information. According to the investigation, the former director of the contracting firm embezzled nearly 5 million.

The director of “Juventa-Group Ukraine” was charged with embezzlement in connection with the renovation of the hospital’s facade back in October of last year. He was accused of inflating the scope of work and entering false information into the work completion reports.

Анна Бальчінос