One of the suppliers of the Ministry of Defense: SBI detains businessman on half a million dollar bribe
Kyiv • UNN
One of the suppliers of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine was detained for attempting to bribe a SBI official in connection with fraudulent transactions, which caused UAH 1.2 billion in losses to the state.
One of the largest suppliers of the Ministry of Defense was detained for attempting to bribe one of the heads of the Main Investigation Department of the State Bureau of Investigation for $500,000. This was reported by UNN with reference to the SBI.
Details
The agency said that the man offered a bribe for assistance in returning property seized from companies under his control during the investigation of criminal proceedings.
It is noted that the Bureau initiated criminal proceedings several months ago over fraudulent purchases of clothing and underwear for the Armed Forces. The companies of the Lviv businessman won 23 tenders for the supply of clothing to the Ministry of Defense for more than UAH 1.5 billion.
The businessman is currently in custody and faces imprisonment for up to eight years.
The issue of serving a notice of suspicion under Part 3 Art. 369 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (offering, promising or giving an unlawful benefit to an official) and choosing a measure of restraint in the form of detention is being decided
Addendum
The SBI said that during the investigation it was established that the defense orders were fulfilled by companies controlled by the businessman, which were previously engaged in construction and did not have adequate production, warehouse and other facilities for the manufacture and storage of material property for the needs of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
This resulted in preliminary estimates of UAH 1.2 billion in budget losses and, accordingly, disruption of supplies.
In particular, law enforcement officers found complete non-fulfillment of 6 contracts. Under at least 7 contracts, the companies delivered goods to the warehouses of military units only in small quantities, but received state funds for full fulfillment of obligations.
It was also found that 8 contracts were executed with a delay of 3 to 5 months.
An analysis of foreign economic contacts and customs documents of these companies revealed facts of overstatement of the value of goods supplied to the MoD. The involvement of former MoD officials in the fraud is being checked, as they did not take any legal action to enforce or terminate the contracts
According to preliminary estimates, the amount of damage may exceed UAH billion. The pre-trial investigation is currently underway.
Recall
The State Bureau of Investigation uncovered a draft evasion schemein which the chief of staff of the Kyiv City Military Administration helped city council members evade military service by means of fictitious business trips.
