NABU completes probe into abuse of office by Kharkiv utility company head

On Aug. 20, 2021, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) notified the director of one of Kharkiv's utility companies of completing a pre-trial investigation into abuse of office. The case materials were disclosed for the defense for examination.

The actions of the suspect fall under Part 2 of Art. 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

According to the investigation, in 2016, the utility company announced the purchase of equipment for municipal needs. On the eve of concluding the contract with the winner of the tender, the company's director, who at that time also was a member of the Kharkiv City Council, on his own initiative made changes to procurement specifications, as a result of which other products were purchased. All this resulted in extra expenditures for the company amounting to almost UAH 1 million.

A part of this amount was subsequently transferred by the equipment supplier to a company owned by the utility company director.

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.