Officials of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” overpaid 3 million UAH of state funds for cell phones

Officials of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” overpaid 3 million UAH of state funds for cell phones dbr.gov.ua
Hanna Velyka

They now face up to 12 years behind bars

Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) have reported suspicion of the executive director of the state-owned enterprise Forests of Ukraine and two directors of departments of the same enterprise, who purchased cell phones at inflated prices and caused damage to the state worth 3m hryvnyas.

The corresponding message appeared on the website of the GBR.

The agency says that in August 2023, the Director of one of the departments of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” initiated the purchase of 2.5 thousand cell phones for the needs of subordinate units. He did not inquire about the market value of this equipment and offered to purchase phones for more than 18 million UAH.

The director of another department announced a corresponding tender. Only one private enterprise applied for it with an offer 30% higher than the market value of the equipment. The executive director of the state enterprise, based on the memos of his subordinates, concluded a corresponding contract for the supply of mobile devices.

The expert examinations confirmed that the purchases of equipment were made at inflated prices. They caused damage to the state for UAH 3 mln.

dbr.gov.ua

Photo: dbr.gov.ua.

Investigators informed all three officials of the State Enterprise "Forests of Ukraine" about suspicion of embezzlement of other people's property, committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons, under martial law, on an especially large scale under Part 5 of Art. 191 of the Criminal Code.

The sanction of the article provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of up to 12 years.
dbr.gov.ua

Photo: dbr.gov.ua.

Investigators are now checking the involvement of these suspects in similar criminal offenses and taking measures to compensate for the damage caused to the state.

The other day, EcoPolitic reported that the director-general of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine”, Yuriy Bolokhovets, was charged with setting up a private farm of more than 80 hectares in state and municipal forests in Chernihiv Region.

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