The SSU exposed embezzlement of disaster relief funds allocated following the large-scale flood in 2020.

In one district of Chernivtsi region alone, offenders misappropriated UAH 2.9 m (USD 106,000) of road repairs funds, which was nearly half of the amount allocated for one of the construction sites.

The scam was organized by a manager of a local company and several officials.

In the summer of 2020, local authorities signed UAH 6.8 m (USD 248,000) agreement with the businessman to repair flood-damaged roads.

The offender entered false data into completion certificates overestimating the volume and costs of work. Despite unfulfilled obligations, two involved technical officers signed forged documents.

The searches of perpetrators’ offices and houses led to the seizure of:

• cost estimate and financial documents;
• mobile phones with evidence of illegal activity.

The offenders have been notified of suspicion of official forgery and misappropriation.

The SSU Office in Chernivtsi region carried out the operation together with the Strategic Investigations Department and investigators of the National Police under the supervision of Chernivtsi Region Prosecutor’s Office.