Centrenergo ex-officials suspected of corruption

On July 12, 2022, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) notified two former officials of Centrenergo PJSC (78.29% state-owned) of suspicion of abuse of power and embezzlement of over UAH 5.31 million. Their accomplice, the owner of a private company, was also notified of suspicion.

The investigation has established that in 2018, the suspects organized a corruption scheme for the purchase of pipes and related products for the needs of enterprises subordinate to the PJSC at inflated prices.

The Centrenergo officials distorted the conditions of tenders by inflating price offers, creating artificial obstacles for the participation of businesses not controlled by them, and thus ensured the victory of the company taking part in the scheme. This company produced nothing and played the role of an intermediary. NABU recorded cases when the goods were physically supplied to Centrenergo from other companies, while the documents said the supplier was the company involved in the scheme. Likewise, this company received money for delivered products.

The investigation has so far gathered evidence regarding three episodes of corrupt activity with the participation of the suspects, due to which the state enterprise illegally overpaid more than UAH 5.31 million. The evidence collected by NABU and SAPO became the basis for an investigation by the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine regarding possible collusion among bidders.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered non-guilty in the commission of a crime and cannot be subject to criminal punishment until he or she is found guilty by court.

For reference: Centrenergo PJSC is the only state-owned energy generating company in Ukraine comprising three thermal power plants - Vuhlehirska (Donetsk region), Zmiivska (Kharkiv region), Trypilska (Kyiv region), and the separate subpision Remenergo (Cherkasy).