As a result of the SSU activity, an official and a deputy of Poltava City Council were served notice of suspicion of taking a bribe, punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years.

The deputy was remanded in custody with a right to post bail in the amount of UAH 681,000 (USD 25,800). The perpetrator was bailed out almost immediately.

SSU exposed the perpetrators in early September. They attempted to organize a corruption scheme to issue permits for construction and municipal improvements. In case local entrepreneurs refused to pay, the perpetrators threatened to obstruct their work. 

Offenders estimated the cost of such permits for one of local entrepreneurs as high as USD 5,000.

The SSU has audio and video recordings confirming this corruption scheme, e.g. those of meetings between the involved officials and the entrepreneur, from whom they extorted money. The records show how:

• The deputy explains that he gives instructions to create obstacles for the work of local entrepreneurs;
• The deputy instructs officials to speed up the issuance of permits;
• The deputy describes the bribe scheme;
• The mediator calls the deputy to inform about the received bribe.