The SSU has exposed a scheme of budget funds misappropriation in procurement of food for child care institutions in Cherkasy.

In 2019, a department of Cherkasy City Council held a tender for purchase of food for pre-schools. Having chosen the winner, the officials concluded an agreement worth over UAH 4 m (USD 150,000). However, later the company initiated amendments to the contract, stating the rise in price by almost UAH 1 m (USD 37,000) as the reason.

Expert examinations indicate that the supplier artificially overstated the cost of goods and entered misleading data into the agreement in order to steal public funds.

The head of the contractor company has been notified of suspicion of embezzlement and misappropriation of property through abuse of office.

Investigation is underway to establish all the circumstances of the offence and bring to justice all those involved.

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