Over UAH 37 million stolen during construction of fortifications in Sumy region – State Bureau of Investigation

The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has uncovered a scheme to embezzle over UAH 37.7 million allocated by the state for the construction of fortifications in the Sumy region. Four people, including a former official of the Lviv OVA, have been suspected.

This is reported by the State Bureau of Investigation.

According to the investigation, in February-March 2024, the government allocated more than UAH 708 million from the state budget reserve fund to the Lviv OVA. This money was supposed to be used to build fortifications and defensive strips in the Sumy region.

According to the State Bureau of Investigation, a former official of the Lviv Regional State Administration involved a technical supervision specialist and representatives of a contractor company in the scheme. They overstated the cost of materials and the volume of work performed, and also drew up fictitious acts.

Part of the budget money, according to the investigation, was returned to officials in the form of “kickbacks.”

Law enforcement officers identified five such episodes during the construction of two strongholds and three protective strips. Expert assessments confirmed damages in the amount of over UAH 37.7 million.

During searches at the premises of representatives of the contracting organization, law enforcement officers seized electronic media that may contain evidence in the case.

Four people were suspected – a former official of the Lviv OVA, a technical supervision specialist, and two representatives of the contracting organization.

They face up to 12 years in prison. The court remanded the suspects in custody with the possibility of posting bail and seized their property.

The State Bureau of Investigation continues its investigation and is identifying other possible participants in the scheme.

Recall that during the investigation of possible embezzlement during the construction of fortifications, NABU detectives uncovered a possible money laundering scheme through dozens of Ukrainian and foreign companies.