In the Lviv region, former employees of the Drohobych District State Administration are suspected of organising a scheme of unlawful social benefit payments, which caused almost 41 million hryvnias in losses to the state budget. This was reported by law enforcement agencies.
According to the investigation, the former officials entered false information into official documents about the number of people who had allegedly been granted social benefits, and sent this inaccurate data to banking institutions. On the basis of these documents, funds were transferred to individuals who were not entitled to receive them.
Preliminary findings indicate that between January 2020 and March 2024, 47 women received unlawful payments, and the total amount of losses is almost 41 million hryvnias.
Community police officers and investigators of the Drohobych District Police Department, under the procedural guidance of the Drohobych District Prosecutor’s Office, uncovered the unlawful activity. Both former officials have been notified of suspicion under Part 4 and Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – misappropriation and embezzlement of another’s property through abuse of office, committed repeatedly, by prior conspiracy by a group of persons, and also under martial law.
Law enforcement officers recall that these same suspects have previously already been charged in another criminal case in which the state suffered losses of more than eight and a half million hryvnias.
In addition, another former official has been notified of suspicion; according to the investigation, she was involved in arranging social benefit payments for nine individuals. She is charged under Part 5 of Article 27 and Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – aiding and abetting the misappropriation and embezzlement of property through abuse of office, committed repeatedly, under martial law, on an especially large scale and by prior conspiracy by a group of persons.
The sanctions of the specified articles provide for a penalty of imprisonment for up to 12 years, with disqualification from holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities for up to three years, and with confiscation of property. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.