NABU and SAPO exposed a large-scale scheme of embezzlement of Energoatom funds during the construction of the Tashlyk PSPP

NABU detectives and SAP prosecutors have exposed a large-scale corruption scheme to embezzle funds from the state-owned enterprise “NAEK “Energoatom”” during the construction of the Tashlyk pumped-storage power plant in Mykolaiv region.

This was reported by the press service of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine.

Investigation: the price of the equipment was overstated by almost 170 million

Among the defendants in the case:

the actual owner of a group of companies, whom the investigation considers to be the organizer of the scheme;

the former head of one of the departments of the separate unit “Atomprojectengineering” of the SE “NAEK “Energoatom””.

According to the investigation, one of the companies associated with the organizer of the scheme was involved in completing the construction of the Tashlyk PSP.

Despite delays in the performance of work and the open bankruptcy procedure of the company, additional agreements continued to be concluded with it, which changed the list of works, deadlines for completion and amounts of financing.

The NABU notes that in total, more than 70 such additional agreements were signed.

The purchases were made through a foreign firm

The investigation established that under one of the agreements for the PSPP, a set of equipment for an automated control system worth more than 305 million hryvnias was purchased.

Law enforcement officers believe that the purchase was made through a controlled foreign intermediary company, which allowed the cost of the equipment to be artificially inflated by almost 170 million hryvnias.

The NABU emphasizes that the implementation of the scheme became possible due to the organizer’s influence on certain officials of Energoatom.

The investigation is ongoing

Currently, law enforcement officers continue to identify all persons involved in the implementation of the scheme and the possible embezzlement of public funds during the construction of a critical infrastructure facility.

If proven guilty, the suspects may face liability for embezzlement of property in particularly large amounts and participation in a corruption scheme.