In the Odesa region, an official is suspected of embezzlement involving medical equipment

In the Odesa region, the head of a municipal institution was notified that he is suspected of embezzlement in connection with the procurement of medical equipment. According to the investigation, the official included VAT in the contract price, even though the supply of medical devices was exempt from this tax during the period of martial law.

Investigators from the Main Directorate of the National Police in Odesa Oblast determined that the official, who was acting as the institution’s general director, organized the purchase of a laparoscopic stand with a set of sensors, optics, and instruments for the regional clinical hospital.

<picture></picture>PHOTO: od.npu.gov.ua

Last year, following an open bidding process, the municipal institution entered into a contract with a private company worth nearly 13.5 million hryvnias. According to investigators, the official intentionally included over 880,000 hryvnias in value-added tax in this amount.

Law enforcement officials noted that during the period of martial law, the supply of such medical products was exempt from VAT. The equipment was delivered and paid for, which, according to the investigation, resulted in losses to the state totaling over 880,000 hryvnias.

<picture></picture>PHOTO: od.npu.gov.ua

The official was notified of suspicion of embezzlement of another’s property through abuse of official position, committed under martial law. The penalty under this article provides for up to eight years of imprisonment with disqualification from holding certain positions for a term of up to three years.

The issue of selecting a pretrial measure for the suspect is currently being decided. The pretrial investigation into the case is ongoing.

<picture></picture>PHOTO: od.npu.gov.ua

Also, at the Black Sea seaport, an official was caught extorting 500,000 hryvnias from a businessman together with a representative of a private company. In exchange for this money, they promised to help resolve the issue with officials from Ukrzaliznytsia. 

Анна Літман