Odesa City Council official goes to trial for overpayment

An investigation has been completed in Odesa region into an official of the education department whose decisions when purchasing fuel pellets resulted in millions of dollars in losses for the budget. The indictment has already been submitted to court - the woman is charged with negligence and faces a real term.

This was reported by the press service of the National Police in Odesa Oblast.

Law enforcement officers have completed a pre-trial investigation against an accounting officer of one of the city council's education departments, whose actions led to significant financial losses to the budget during the purchase of fuel pellets. She is charged with official negligence, and the indictment has already been sent to court.

The violations were discovered by officers of the Strategic Investigations Department in Odesa Oblast together with investigators of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi District Police Department.

The investigation established that the official responsible for organizing procurement entered into an agreement with a private entrepreneur to supply pellets for educational institutions. At the same time, she failed to conduct the necessary market analysis and independently determined the expected cost of the goods, which was significantly higher than average prices.

In November 2022, 154 tons of pellets were purchased at an inflated price, which resulted in more than UAH 1.67 million in additional costs from the local budget.

Based on the evidence collected, the defendant was charged with negligence that caused grave consequences. The case has been referred to court, where the prosecution will be supported by the district prosecutor's office.

The woman faces up to five years in prison with possible restriction of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years.

Also in Odesa, law enforcement officers exposed a possible scheme to embezzle budget funds during the restoration of a historic theater building. The head of the contracting firm is suspected of falsifying documents and misappropriating money, and was taken into custody.

Анна Бальчінос