"They repaired it so much that they raked it up for themselves": more than a million people "whistled" in the region during road repairs.

Two ex-officials were charged with embezzlement of budget funds, which were supposed to be used for road repairs.

In Transcarpathia, investigators of the Department for the Investigation of Especially Serious Crimes of the Main Directorate of the National Police, together with operatives of the Ukrainian SSR and the Security Service of Ukraine, exposed an organized criminal group, whose members set up a scheme of misappropriation of budget funds. Thus, law enforcement officers established that two Transcarpathians, who held senior positions in the utility company, and a contractor, who was recently notified of suspicion by investigators and the case against him has been sent for trial, were involved in the crime.

This was reported by the Police of Zakarpattia oblast.

The director of the company and his deputy entered into contracts with a contractor for the repair of the road surface within the Khust district. By prior agreement, the latter entered knowingly false information into the design and estimate documentation. In this way, the offenders artificially inflated market prices for building materials and the cost of work performed.

After receiving payment from the budget, the difference was distributed between the officials and the contractor.

By such actions, the offenders caused losses to the community in the amount of UAH 1 million 163 thousand. 612 UAH. Investigators, under the procedural guidance of the Zakarpattia Regional Prosecutor's Office, served two ex-officials of the utility company with notices of suspicion. The director is charged with Part 5 of Art. 191 and Part 1 Art. 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine; his deputy – Part 4 of Art. 191 and Part 1 Art. 366 of the Criminal Code. Accordingly, the first defendant faces up to 12 years in prison, the other – up to 8 years.

In the near future, the materials of the criminal proceedings will be sent to court.

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