In the Poltava region, former high-ranking officials of one of the law enforcement agencies will face trial for using subordinates as unpaid labor to construct their own private homes.
This is reported by Finway
Scheme with Hidden Owners and Free Labor
The pre-trial investigation conducted by the State Bureau of Investigations has been completed regarding the former deputy head of the law enforcement agency, a former head of one of the departments, and a branch chief. According to the investigation, two of the officials purchased neighboring plots of land with unfinished houses in Poltava. To conceal the ownership, the properties were registered in the names of relatives and the mother-in-law of one of their subordinates.
They planned to set up a private enclosed territory — with a high fence, landscaping, swimming pools, and other comfort elements. To save costs, the leaders involved three subordinates with construction skills in the building process, whom they effectively forced to work on the estates without proper payment.
Manipulations with Official Duties and Criminal Proceedings
During the work on private properties, the absence of employees on duty was covered by the management, while salaries continued to be accrued and regularly paid to these workers from the state budget.
The investigation established that two officials purchased neighboring plots of land with unfinished houses in Poltava. To hide the real owners, the properties were registered in the names of relatives and the mother-in-law of one of their subordinates.
Currently, two of the individuals have been transferred to other units. The former deputy head and the former head of one of the departments are accused of embezzlement of property through abuse of office, committed in conspiracy by a group of individuals under martial law (Part 4 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Additionally, the former head of the department is further accused of organizing the submission of knowingly false information in official documents (Part 1 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The maximum penalty for these criminal offenses is up to 8 years of imprisonment. Separately, the branch chief is accused of submitting knowingly false information in official documents. Furthermore, investigators are examining facts of possible illegal enrichment of the individuals within the framework of another criminal proceeding.