A 170 million hryvnia scheme at Energoatom: media name possible suspects
This was reported by NABU and the SAPO.
NABU and SAPO have uncovered a large-scale scheme to embezzle funds from the state-owned enterprise “NAEK “Energoatom” during the construction of a critical infrastructure facility – the Tashlyk pumped-storage power station in the Mykolaiv region.
According to the investigation, the sum involved is nearly 170 million hryvnias. NABU has officially announced two suspects, but without naming them. Among them are the organiser of the scheme, the de facto owner of a number of companies, and the former head of a department within the “Atomproektinzhineriing” division of the state-owned enterprise “NAEK “Energoatom”.
The suspects’ actions have been classified under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – misappropriation of property on an especially large scale or by an organised group. The organiser of the scheme was detained in accordance with Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
How the scheme worked, according to NABU
According to the investigation, the work on the completion of the Tashlyk Pumped Storage Power Plant was carried out by one of the companies belonging to the scheme’s organiser.
Despite missed deadlines and bankruptcy proceedings against this company, additional agreements were systematically concluded with it. These agreements altered the list and scope of works, as well as the deadlines for their completion.
NABU stated that this was made possible by the influence of the company’s actual owner on officials at Energoatom.
In total, according to the investigation, over 70 additional agreements were concluded. Under one of them, a set of equipment for the pumped-storage power plant’s automated control system was purchased, with a total value of over 305 million UAH.
The purchase was made through a controlled foreign firm. According to the investigation, this allowed the price of the equipment to be artificially inflated by almost 170 million hryvnias.
Who is being named by the Ukrainian media
Officially, NABU and the SAPO have not named the suspects in this case.
At the same time, “Nashi Hroshi” reports that Natalia Volkova – the former head of the cost estimation and contract department at the “Atomproektinzhineriing” subsidiary – is involved in the case. Important: this is media information, not an official statement from NABU or the SAP.
Also, “Slovo i Dilo” reports that PJSC “Yuzhenergobud”, owned by Matvii Yasenitskyi, is involved in the case. However, there is no confirmation in NABU’s public statement that Yasenitskyi has been notified of the suspicion.
What is known about “Yuzhenergobud”
PJSC “Yuzhenergobud” has already been mentioned in reports related to contracts with “Energoatom”.
According to OBOZ.UA, the company is linked to major tenders for “Energoatom”, and Matvii Yasenitskyi was named among its beneficiaries. The report also mentions possible price inflation in procurements for the state-owned company.
Court documents previously analysed in relation to Energoatom contracts mentioned that between 2004 and 2019, Energoatom enterprises concluded hundreds of contracts and supplementary agreements with PJSC “Yuzhenergobud” totalling over 4.5 billion UAH.
What is known about “Atomproektinzhining”
“Atomproektinzhining” is a separate division of the state-owned enterprise “NAEK “Energoatom”. According to an official statement by NABU, it is the former head of one of its departments who is among the suspects in the case.
According to the investigation, officials at “Energoatom” may have facilitated the conclusion of supplementary agreements that allowed cooperation with the scheme’s organiser to continue, despite issues with the deadlines for completing the work.
The investigation is ongoing
NABU has stated that investigative activities are ongoing, and detectives are identifying all individuals involved in the scheme.
The officially disclosed charge is Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. This article provides for liability for the misappropriation of property on a particularly large scale or by an organised group.
In accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven in accordance with the law and established by a court conviction.
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