"20 million UAH 'earned' on roads in the Kharkiv community: who are the suspects?"

According to the State Bureau of Investigations, the organizer of the criminal scheme was the deputy head of the territorial community in Kharkiv region.

“In 2023, he initiated the signing of 12 contracts for the repair of local roads with two pre-selected companies. He involved a mobilized specialist who was supposedly overseeing the repairs, even though he was on duty,” the SBU reports.

Additionally, a private enterprise director, foremen, a worker from a commercial structure, and a procurement specialist from the community were also implicated in the scheme.

“To embezzle the allocated funds for repairs, the perpetrators cut corners on the quality of asphalt and other materials, inflated the volumes of completed work, and the amount of purchased sand, gravel, etc. Specifically, the specialist responsible for technical supervision didn’t even inspect the completed work, merely signing off on the documents,” the SBU clarifies.

The total losses to the community budget are estimated at 20 million hryvnias. During the searches, the State Bureau of Investigations reports that about one million hryvnias in cash was seized, along with records that prove the guilt of the suspects. The accused face up to 13 years in prison with asset confiscation.