The State Bureau of Investigation detained former "Ukrenergo" head Volodymyr Kudrytskyi in Lviv region
Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) announced suspicion against a Lviv businessman and detained the former chairman of the board of "Ukrenergo" on suspicion of fraudulent appropriation of funds from the state enterprise "N.E.C. Ukrenergo," reports ThePublic.info citing the State Bureau of Investigation. The scheme was organized by a Lviv businessman, who was previously exposed by the SBI for purchasing substandard clothing for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for over 1 billion hryvnias.
According to the investigation, in 2018, during tenders for the reconstruction of the external fencing of substations of the Southern and Western power systems, an official of the state enterprise colluded with representatives of a private company. At that time, he held the position of Deputy Director for Investments at the State Enterprise "N.E.C. Ukrenergo".
As a result of the procurement, two contracts were signed between the parties for a total amount of over 68 million UAH. Subsequently, the state enterprise transferred the contractor over 13.7 million UAH in advance payments, which the malicious actors appropriated without intending to fulfill their obligations. The investigation also established facts of document forgery submitted for the state registration of a legal entity used in the criminal scheme. According to the SBI, the suspects further conducted financial transactions with the obtained funds, attempting to legitimize them.
The Lviv businessman has been notified of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 27, Part 4 of Article 190, Part 2 of Article 205-1, Part 2 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (organization of fraud, document forgery submitted for the registration of a legal entity, legalization (laundering) of proceeds obtained through criminal means).
The former chairman of the board was detained on suspicion of committing a criminal offense under Part 4 of Article 190 (fraud committed by a prior conspiracy of a group of persons, in especially large amounts) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The sanctions of the articles provide for a punishment of up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
SBI investigators are preparing a petition to the court for the selection of a preventive measure in the form of detention for the former "Ukrenergo" official.
The SBI does not disclose the name of the detainee, but according to media, it is about the former head of N.E.C. "Ukrenergo" Volodymyr Kudrytskyi and businessman Ihor Hrynkievych, who is in pre-trial detention.
