A surgeon in Lviv demanded $9,000 to extend a patient's disability status
Vasyl Stepovany, a surgeon at the 5th City Clinical Hospital in Lviv, demanded $9,000 to extend a patient’s disability classification. The police and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) detained the doctor while he was receiving part of the money—$1,000.
The surgeon assured the patient that he had sufficient connections in Lviv region medical facilities and could help obtain medical records regarding alleged inpatient treatment. In reality, however, the patient would be hospitalized only “on paper.”
“These documents were subsequently to be used to extend the term of the established Group III disability status. The doctor also claimed to have influence over members of the EKOPFO, and thus would be able to resolve this matter in the ‘client’s’ favor,” the prosecutor’s office added.
The doctor claimed that if the patient refused to pay, the disability group would not be extended.
The surgeon valued his services at $9,000. This amount included the preparation of documents regarding the inpatient stay and influencing the commission. After the first installment of the bribe, amounting to $1,000, was handed over, law enforcement officers detained the doctor.
The detainee was notified of suspicion of receiving an illegal benefit for exerting influence, combined with extortion (Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
Source: Absolution Leaks.
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