Mayor “overstayed his welcome”: more than 140 Klitschko officials suspected of corruption and abuse of UAH 1 billion

Kyiv's budget is almost $2 billion annually, which is comparable to European cities such as Lisbon (Portugal) and Prague (Czech Republic). But every rainstorm ends in a flood in the capital, and the functionality of the metro is a disgrace to the authorities. When will officials stop stealing is a question that Ukrainians raise with law enforcement agencies, among others. UNN asked the Kyiv Prosecutor's Office about the results of the investigation into corruption in the capital's government.

According to the prosecutor's office, during 2023 and 6 months of 2024, more than 140 Kyiv officials were suspected and brought to trial.

Thus, in 2023, the pre-trial investigation was completed and indictments were submitted to the court in 80 criminal proceedings against 97 defendants, including 49 officials of KCSA and municipal enterprises, institutions, and organizations established by the Kyiv City Council (45 of them were senior officials).

In addition, in 2023, another 15 officials of the KCSA and utility companies (15 senior executives) were notified of suspicion.

In the first 6 months of 2024, 76 indictments against 87 defendants have already been submitted to the court:

✓ 60 employees of KCSA and municipal enterprises (including 50 managers);

✓ 14 - district state administrations (10 senior staff);

✓ 13 - officials of counterparty companies.

Also, since the beginning of 2024, another 26 Kyiv officials (23 of them senior) have been notified of suspicion.

In general, during 2023 and 6 months of 2024, criminal offenses were detected in various areas of the public utilities sector, in particular:

1. Repairing and equipping civilian protection shelters. 11 indictments were submitted to the court, and a notice of suspicion was served in 1 criminal proceeding under investigation.

2. Roads, maintenance and construction of road transport facilities, and transport infrastructure. 33 indictments were submitted to the court, and suspicion notices were served in 12 criminal proceedings under investigation.

3. Improvement, maintenance of green spaces, arrangement of parks and squares. 18 indictments were submitted to the court, and suspicion notices were served in 4 criminal proceedings under investigation.

4. Maintenance of the water fund. Eight indictments were submitted to the court, and suspicion notices were served in 2 criminal proceedings under investigation.

5. Maintenance of the housing stock. 16 indictments were submitted to the court, and suspicion notices were served in 3 criminal proceedings under investigation.

6. Water and heat supply. Eight indictments were submitted to the court, in 1 proceeding a notice of suspicion was served and the investigation is ongoing.

7. Medical care for the population. Eight indictments were submitted to court, and in 1 proceeding, in which the investigation is ongoing, a suspect was served.

8. Education, sports and culture. 32 indictments were submitted to the court, and suspicion notices were served in 6 criminal proceedings under investigation.

9. Provision of funeral services. Four indictments were submitted to the court, and suspicion notices were served in 2 criminal proceedings under investigation.

10. Maintenance and lease of municipal real estate. 7 indictments were submitted to the court.

11. Trade and social services. Five indictments were submitted to the court.

In criminal proceedings in which indictments were sent to court in 2023, damages totaling more than UAH 510 million were established, and in 2024 - UAH 554 million.

However, Klitschko's mayor's office pleaded not guilty to embezzlement of taxpayer funds. Despite the established facts of corruption and abuse, the officials remain in their positions and continue their activities.

Residents of the capital will be able to answer the question of whether Klitschko has overstayed his welcome only in 2025, at the next election, unless the authorities decide otherwise depending on the circumstances in the country.