A scandal is unfolding in Odesa regarding the organization of public procurement for the education system. The investigation has established facts of official negligence committed by a former official responsible for supplying schools with multimedia equipment. According to preliminary data, the actions of the official led to significant financial losses for the city budget.
The essence of the incident
According to materials published by the press service of the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office, the events unfolded in May 2024. The subject of the case is a woman who oversaw public procurement issues in one of the city's districts. Her competence included determining the cost and organizing the acquisition of television and audio-visual equipment for educational institutions.
As part of this task, the procurement of 106 multimedia complexes was planned. These complexes were to include interactive boards and projectors — equipment necessary for the modernization of school classrooms. To implement the project, open tenders were announced in the public procurement system.
Financial losses for the budget
As a result of the tender, a communal institution of the Odesa City Council concluded a contract with a private enterprise. The total cost of the contract for the supply of equipment exceeded 6.8 million hryvnias. However, according to the prosecution, the procurement procedure was conducted with violations.
Specialists established that the equipment was purchased at inflated prices. As a result, the community suffered losses estimated at more than two million hryvnias. These funds were spent inefficiently due to the actions of the official.
Criminal prosecution
The former official has been officially notified of suspicion. She is charged with committing a crime provided for by Part 2 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — official negligence resulting in grave consequences.
The sanction of this article provides for a strict punishment: imprisonment for a term of two to five years. In addition, the convicted person may be prohibited from holding certain positions for up to three years. At the moment, pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
The case in Odesa is not unique in the context of the fight against the embezzlement of budget funds. Previously in Mykolaiv, the acting director of one of the higher professional colleges and three of his acquaintances were also notified of suspicion of misappropriation of state funds.