Odesa region reveals overpricing of laptops for lyceum

In Odesa region, laptops seized during a search of a lyceum on suspicion of malpractice in the purchase of school equipment were arrested. The investigation believes that the responsible officials could have caused damage to the local budget by purchasing the equipment at significantly inflated prices.

This is evidenced by the ruling of the Chornomorsk City Court.

According to the case file, the laptops were seized on March 11 during a search at the lyceum, packed in safe packages and recognized as material evidence. They are necessary for conducting examinations in criminal proceedings on the grounds of official negligence.

The investigation concerns the purchase of school laptops by the Humanitarian Policy Department of the Taira Village Council of Odesa District from Gamayungroup LLC. According to the contract of December 17, 2024, it was planned to purchase 20 laptops for a total amount of UAH 750 thousand for the lyceum.

According to the annex to the contract No. 146 dated December 17, 2024, the Humanitarian Policy Department of the Taira Village Council ordered 20 laptops for a total of UAH 750 thousand, with the price per device set at UAH 37,500. Another appendix to the same contract clearly stated the technical, qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the ordered equipment.

Law enforcement analyzed open sources and found that at the time of the purchase, the average market value of similar laptops was about UAH 17,120 per unit. As noted in the ruling, the purchase of equipment at inflated prices could have been the result of official negligence of the responsible officials of the Department, which resulted in losses to the local budget.

The court noted that the seizure of the property was necessary to ensure the preservation of evidence and conduct examinations, and prohibited its disposal and use until the investigation is completed.

The entrepreneur from Odesa region is also suspected of misappropriating funds from computer equipment that he had transferred to schools according to documents but did not actually deliver. The investigation established that in August 2020, the Department of Education and Youth Policy of the Kilia District State Administration and the businessman signed several contracts for the supply of computer equipment and laptops for schools in the district. The court authorized his arrest.

Анна Бальчінос