Part of the shelter dismantled in Odesa region due to suspicions of embezzlement

In Odesa region, the BES is investigating possible embezzlement of budget funds during the construction of a radiation shelter for a lyceum. The court allowed the BES detectives to inspect the facility with partial disclosure of structures to verify the actual scope of work performed.

This was reported by the Center for Public Investigations.

The investigation found that in August 2023, the Mayakivka Village Council entered into an agreement with Stany Magnum LLC to build a shelter for the Yosypivka Lyceum. The cost of the project exceeded UAH 44.3 million, a significant portion of which was planned to be financed by a state subvention. After monitoring the procurement, the auditors found violations and recommended terminating the contract.

However, according to the case file, the contract was not terminated. Instead, the parties signed an additional agreement that reduced its value to UAH 30.3 million. At the same time, according to law enforcement officers, the funds had already been fully utilized at that time. The next day, the village council entered into a new direct contract with the same contractor for more than UAH 6.7 million to continue work on the adjusted project. According to the investigation, these funds were also spent in a very short time.

Detectives suggest that local government officials and representatives of the contractor could have acted in concert to further use budget funding. The proceedings state that the new contract could have been concluded without proper legal grounds after the auditors demanded that the previous contract be terminated.

Additional questions arose after a visual inspection of the facility. The investigation raised doubts about the compliance of the actual work performed with the design and estimate documentation. They are also checking information about possible overpricing of certain construction materials, including concrete, sand, and bricks.

As part of the criminal proceedings, a forensic construction and technical examination was ordered. To conduct it, the expert requested access to the shelter and permission to open certain hidden structures to take samples and check the quality of the work performed. The court upheld this request and allowed the inspection to be conducted with partial damage to certain elements of the structure without causing critical damage to the facility.

The results of the examination should help establish whether the declared construction scope corresponds to the actual work performed and whether the budget funds were used in accordance with their intended purpose.

Also in June, the repair of a shelter in one of Odesa's lyceums resulted not in the renovation of the protective structure, but in criminal proceedings for overestimating the cost of equipment. The court found the contractor guilty of embezzlement and forgery.

Анна Бальчінос