Scheme to embezzle over UAH 20 million in traffic light procurement uncovered in Odesa
Kyiv • UNN
Six individuals will stand trial in Odesa for the embezzlement of UAH 20.7 million during the procurement of uninterruptible power supplies for traffic lights. Officials and businessmen inflated tender prices.
In Odesa, an indictment has been sent to court against six participants in an organized scheme to embezzle over 20 million UAH in budget funds allocated to ensure the uninterrupted operation of traffic lights during potential power outages. According to the investigation, the equipment was purchased at inflated prices through controlled enterprises. This was reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General, according to UNN.
The Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office has sent to court an indictment against six participants in a scheme to embezzle budget funds allocated to support transport infrastructure under martial law
At the beginning of the year, a large-scale scam was uncovered involving losses to the community of over 20 million UAH.
According to the investigation, in 2024, the director of an enterprise who controlled a group of companies organized a scheme involving officials of the Municipal Institution "Specialized Installation and Maintenance Unit" (SMEP) of the Odesa City Council, a lawyer, and other accomplices. As a result of the conspiracy, they embezzled over 20.7 million UAH of territorial community funds.
The scheme was implemented during the procurement of backup power equipment for Odesa's traffic lights—100 uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units and nearly 50 batteries—at deliberately inflated prices. This equipment was intended to ensure the uninterrupted operation of traffic lights during power outages.
The winners of the tenders were two enterprises controlled by the participants of the scheme.
Currently, the defendants in the case include the director of the MI "SMEP" of the Odesa City Council, the owner of the group of companies, two directors of companies, a lawyer, and an employee of one of the controlled enterprises. The investigation regarding a former official of the municipal institution is ongoing.
All are charged with embezzlement of property on an especially large scale, committed by an organized group under martial law.
At the request of the prosecutor's office, the court ordered the defendants to be held in custody with bails ranging from over 2 million to more than 3 million UAH. Additionally, the director of MI "SMEP" has been suspended from office.