Six people are to stand trial in Odesa for embezzling 20 million hryvnias from traffic light projects

The Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office has filed an indictment against six members of a criminal group who, under martial law, embezzled more than 20 million hryvnias in public funds. 

The perpetrators carried out a large-scale scheme during the city’s procurement of 100 uninterruptible power supply units and nearly 50 batteries at knowingly inflated prices. 

This equipment was intended to ensure the operation of traffic lights during potential power outages, and the tender winners were two companies controlled by the scheme’s organizer. The organized group included the director of the municipal institution “Specialized Installation and Maintenance Unit” of the Odesa City Council, the owner of a group of companies, two company directors, a lawyer, and an employee of a controlled enterprise, while the investigation into another former official is ongoing. All participants are charged with embezzlement on a particularly large scale, committed by an organized group during martial law. Currently, the suspects are in custody with bail set at between 2 and over 3 million hryvnias, and the head of the municipal institution has been suspended from his position. In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.