A scheme involving the embezzlement of over 4 million hryvnias in medical procurement was uncovered in Kyiv
In Kyiv, law enforcement officials uncovered an organized scheme to embezzle over 4 million hryvnias during the procurement of medical supplies for a state institution. According to the investigation, the participants colluded in advance on the tenders and inflated prices to ensure that “their” company won. All three suspects have already been charged. This was reported by the Kyiv Main Directorate of the National Police.
Law enforcement officials in the capital are investigating a large-scale scheme through which over 4.1 million hryvnias could have been embezzled from the budget of a state medical institution during the procurement of medical supplies.
According to the investigation, the scheme was organized by an official at the state institution “F. G. Yanovsky National Scientific Center for Phthisiology, Pulmonology, and Allergology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine,” who recruited the director of a private supplier company and the procurement manager of that company into the scheme. “The suspects agreed in advance on the terms of the tenders, the technical specifications of the goods, and their inflated prices. To ensure a specific company’s victory, conditions were included in the tender documentation that effectively prevented other bidders from participating,” the police reported.
Investigators established that an employee of the supplier company received advance information about upcoming procurements and helped prepare documents to meet the required specifications. The company’s director submitted bids through the public procurement system with prices already agreed upon, while the medical facility official ensured that contracts were signed specifically with the designated supplier.
As a result, more than ten contracts were signed between the state institution and the private company for the supply of medical supplies, including masks and syringes, at inflated prices. According to expert findings, this allowed the participants in the scheme to illegally embezzle more than 4.1 million hryvnias in budget funds.
All three suspects have been charged under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—misappropriation of property through abuse of official position. The penalty under this article provides for up to 12 years of imprisonment, a ban on holding certain positions, and confiscation of property.
