A criminal scheme was uncovered at the Chornomorsk branch of the State Enterprise Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority during a pre-trial investigation conducted by the State Bureau of Investigations under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General, based on materials from the Security Service of Ukraine. The investigation was carried out with the assistance of the SE Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority leadership.

As a result, an official from the State Enterprise was detained for soliciting UAH 500,000 (USD 11,100) from a contractor in exchange for unhindered approval of documentation relating to the modernisation of port infrastructure.

This involved approving updated project documentation for a contract already signed for the reconstruction of railway tracks within a commercial seaport.

To operate the scheme, the official enlisted the help of an acquaintance, the owner of a local private company, who acted as an intermediary during meetings with the contractor’s representatives and the handover of funds.

The law enforcement team caught the intermediary ‘red-handed’ while she was receiving the full amount of the unlawful benefit from the contractors. Subsequently, the organiser of the scheme, an official at a local USPA branch, was detained at his workplace.

Both perpetrators have now been notified of suspicion under Article 369-2.3 of the CCU (abuse of influence). The decision on custody as a preventive measure is pending.

The suspects face up to eight years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property for their offences.