Former Health Minister Stepanov is suspected of embezzling money from the Ukraine Printing Company
The case involves an international scheme with losses amounting to 500 million UAH
Former Health Minister Maksym Stepanov is suspected of embezzling money from the Ukraine Printing Company.
This was reported by Oleksiy Honcharenko, MP from the European Solidarity party.
According to the MP, the suspicion was announced by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.
Previously, NABU reported on the embezzlement scheme at the state enterprise Ukraine Printing Company, but did not name the persons involved. The investigation involves the Head of the Ukraine Printing Company in 2013. Meanwhile, it is known that Stepanov was in charge of the company from 2011 to 2016.
The investigation has found that in 2013, the then head of the state enterprise purchased an Estonian company through proxies and made it a mandatory requirement for foreign partners to supply products through this "necessary" company.
He then organized the purchase of materials for document production through this legal entity. The intermediary company purchased the materials directly from manufacturers and resold them to the enterprise at a cost inflated by 4-6 times.
Law enforcement officers assert that almost 500 million UAH was embezzled through this scheme from 2013 to 2016.
In addition, the former director of the company disguised the sale of 45% of his shares in the company to another controlled company for $1.35 million, as, according to NABU, it was not actually functioning. After declaration, he transferred $150,000 to the accounts of close associates.
The former head also patented the intellectual property rights to protective elements for passports to a company under his control.
"Thus, every citizen, when receiving documents, not only overpaid due to inflated purchases, but also 'donated' to the official for his intellectual contribution," NABU clarified.
Anti-corruption officials added that Estonian law enforcement officers had held 4 individuals accountable for money laundering. Among them are the manager and the controlled company's executive, as well as two accomplices in the crime. At the same time, France is checking its citizens for involvement in the scheme.
As a result, on 20 July of the current year, NABU reported suspicions to 5 individuals: the former director and the ex-head of the SE Printing Company department, an individual accomplice in the crime, and two citizens of Estonia.
Background. Mind previously reported that BEB suspected the co-owner and top management of the bank of laundering 5 billion UAH. The leaders received money from an illegal gambling business.
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