Former MP took out over 100 million in loans from a state bank and fled abroad; international search warrant is being considered - Prosecutor General
Kyiv • UNN
Former MP defrauded a state bank of 140 million UAH and stole 800 tons of rapeseed from farmers. He is hiding abroad, and an international search warrant is being prepared.
A former deputy spent years taking out loans from a state bank through shell companies and failing to repay the money. In parallel, the investigation uncovered a scheme for the theft of agricultural products. The suspect is currently hiding abroad. The issue of an international search warrant is being resolved. This was reported by the Prosecutor General of Ukraine Ruslan Kravchenko, according to UNN.
Details
According to the Prosecutor General, an agribusinessman and former deputy of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Council received a loan of almost 80 million UAH from a state bank for farming. With these funds, he indeed purchased 90 tractors. He conscientiously repaid the debt and appeared to be a reliable borrower.
Next, with the equipment in hand, he used it as collateral with the bank and obtained a second loan of 70 million UAH, allegedly to replenish working capital. To avoid raising suspicion, he simultaneously launched a third loan through controlled shell companies that conducted no real business activity. Thus, another 35 million UAH fell into his hands, Kravchenko added.
All three loans totaled about 185 million UAH. At the same time, the man had no intention of repaying them.
As the Prosecutor General reported, he sold the collateralized tractors to third parties. The investigation managed to track down 46 out of the 90 machines. They were sold, partially offsetting the debt to the bank. In total, the losses to the state bank amounted to 140 million UAH.
In parallel, in the Kryvyi Rih region, the investigation uncovered a scheme for the theft of agricultural products. Everything was built on trust. Through a shell company, the suspect and his accomplices ordered over 800 tons of rapeseed from farmers. To create an illusion of honesty, they partially paid for the deliveries and promised full payment. However, after receiving all the goods, they exported them and ceased payments. The losses to the farm enterprise amounted to 11 million UAH.
Additionally
Although the Prosecutor General did not disclose the suspect's name, according to UNN information, it refers to the former deputy of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Council, Andriy Hordiichuk.
The actions are classified under articles on fraud and misappropriation of another's property through abuse of official position committed by prior conspiracy of a group of persons on an especially large scale (Part 4 of Art. 190, Part 3 of Art. 27, Part 5 of Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The scheme was almost perfect – if not for the investigation. Currently, the suspect is hiding abroad. The issue of an international search warrant is being resolved. We are identifying accomplices and searching for the illegally sold equipment. Hopes for impunity are in vain. We continue our work.