The SBU exposed large-scale embezzlement in the Ternopil Regional Forestry Management. Officials of the state enterprise illegally transported timber for commercial companies at public expense.

The scam caused more than UAH 700,000 (USD 26,000) state losses.

A director of the forestry enterprise was served a suspicion notice. He is currently fired.

Allegedly, during 2017-2019, the forestry enterprise supplied timber to a company in Zakarpattia region. As per contract, customers were to pay for transportation of raw materials.

However, acting in the interests of businessmen, officials paid public money for the transportation. For that reason, they entered invalid data in reporting documents.

The investigation into misappropriation is ongoing to prosecute all involved individuals.

The operation was conducted by the SBU officers in Ternopil region jointly with investigators of the Territorial Department of the State Bureau of Investigations under the supervision of the Ternopil Regional Prosecutor's Office.