In Cherkasy region, the SSU exposed embezzlement of state funds during the reconstruction of the School of Olympic Reserve. According to the examination, the offenders wasted the resources as the building became unsafe for use after the ‘reconstruction’.

The initiator was the head of a local construction company, which in 2017 won the reconstruction tender. A department of Cherkasy Regional State Administration concluded a contract with the winner worth over UAH 56 mln (USD 2 mln). According to the agreement, the facility was to be completed in 2019.

The investigation documented that during the reconstruction the contractor did not comply with construction and technical standards. Instead, the official entered false information in the documents related to value and quality of materials and the amount of work performed. In this way, he misappropriated almost UAH 2 mln (USD 76,000).

The head of the company delayed the completion of the project to misappropriate as much money as possible. The company stole total of UAH 39 mln (USD 1,5 mln) of project funds.

Examinations initiated by the SSU confirmed that the contractor’s non-compliance with proper standards made the building unsafe for use, and now it requires either demolition or huge investments for reconstruction.

The head of the construction company has been notified of suspicion of abuse of official position.

The investigation is underway to establish all the circumstances of illegal activity and bring to justice other individuals involved.

The SSU Office in Cherkasy Region carried out the operation jointly with the National Police investigators under the supervision of Cherkasy District Prosecutor’s Office.