In Odesa, a contractor inflated prices during the repair of a maternity hospital

In Odesa, a contractor is suspected of embezzling budget funds during the repair of a maternity hospital. Law enforcement officers found overstated volumes and costs of repairs in the acts of work performed.

This is evidenced by the decision of the Prymorskyi District Court of Odesa.

In December 2023, the Capital Construction Department of the Odesa City Council published an announcement on the Prozorro platform about open bidding for the overhaul of the buildings of the Municipal Non-Profit Enterprise "Maternity Hospital No. 1". The expected cost of the work was over UAH 6 million, and the deadline for completion was December 31, 2024.

Following the bidding process, in February 2024, the company signed a contract with City Construction Center LLC for UAH 5.9 million. The company undertook to perform the works in accordance with the project documentation, and the client was obliged to accept them and pay for them if budgetary funds were available. The contract stipulated that the works covered the repair of the maternity hospital building and its branch, which is affiliated with the City Clinical Hospital No. 11.

In May and December 2024, the company issued acceptance certificates for the work performed. Also, in May, UAH 1.3 million was transferred to the company's account, and in December 2024, another UAH 4.6 million.

During the pre-trial investigation, investigators found that the company's director had abused her position. In particular, she allegedly included an exaggerated scope and cost of repairs in the report for December 2024, which led to the transfer of more than UAH 300 thousand from the city budget to the contractor's account.

Investigators accused her of misappropriation of property by abuse of office under martial law (Part 4 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and forgery (Part 1 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

In October 2025, the company's director was served a notice of suspicion. The court ruled to impose a bail in the amount of UAH 242,240 and imposed certain obligations on her. The term of the duties was set until December 10, 2025, but within the term of the pre-trial investigation.

At the same time, in early October, the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi City District Court of Odesa Oblast released Ihor Desyatnyk, the former chief physician of the city's multidisciplinary hospital, from criminal liability. He was accused of embezzling local budget funds during procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the proceedings were closed due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

Анна Бальчінос