NABU, SAPO uncover land evaluation bribery scheme
NABU and SAPO have exposed a scheme involving undue benefits from preparing expert monetary land valuation reports and providing positive reviews of such reports.
As established, in 2023, a co-founder of a land valuation company demanded a bribe from a member of the Cherkasy Regional Council for a non-inflated valuation of a land plot. If the official refused, the co-founder threatened to overstate the valuation significantly.
Instead of reporting the bribery to the relevant authorities, the council member agreed and transferred the requested amount to the bank card of another co-founder. The latter then split the sum, keeping half and sending the other half to his partner.
The company subsequently prepared a land valuation report without inflated figures and provided a favorable review.
Detectives found that the co-founders had been offering similar "land services" regularly, including in the Mukacheve land case.
The following persons faced charges:
- а company co-founder — Part 4 Article 368-4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine;
- a company co-founder — Part 1 Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine;
- a regional council deputy — Part 1 Article 368-4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered not-guilty in the commission of a crime and cannot be subject to criminal punishment until he or she is found guilty by court.