In conditions of a stricter control system and transparent procedures, such schemes could hardly be realised. Detectives of the Territorial Department of the Bureau of Economic Security in Chernivtsi region uncovered a scheme to inflate the cost of electricity supplied for the needs of the city’s electric transport.
This is reported by the BEB.
The investigation found that the former Acting Director of the CP “Chernivtsi Trolleybus Department” concluded a contract for the supply of electricity in violation of the requirements of the legislation on public procurement. The contract did not fix a specific price per 1 kWh in monetary terms, which allowed the supplier to unreasonably change it on a monthly basis.
In the period from January to June 2019, the price of electricity was repeatedly increased without proper documentation of market fluctuations.
As a result, more than UAH 1 million was unjustifiably paid from the local budget intended to ensure the operation of the city’s electric transport.
The former acting director has been reported on suspicion of committing a criminal offence under Part 2 Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (abuse of power or official position).
The court chose a preventive measure in the form of bail in the amount of UAH 302,000.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
Transparent procurement mechanisms and strict oversight of budget spending could have prevented such violations, ensuring efficient use of resources.
