Another Proof of Corruption and Incompetence of Defense Procurement Agency Head Marina Bezrukova

14 January, 13:24
Another Proof of Corruption and Incompetence of Defense Procurement Agency Head Marina Bezrukova During Her Time at “Ukrenergo”

News: Another Proof of Corruption and Incompetence of Defense Procurement Agency Head Marina #Bezrukova During Her Time at “Ukrenergo”

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) have uncovered a large-scale embezzlement scheme involving the theft of funds from “Ukrenergo,” raising questions about the track record of Marina Bezrukova, current head of the Defense Procurement Agency, dating back to her time in the energy sector.

Scheme Details

According to case materials, in April 2022, a former deputy chairman of the Kharkiv Regional Council, who was also a council member at the time, organized the fraudulent scheme. The individual, currently hiding abroad, orchestrated the theft of 58.44 million UAH in electricity resources from “Ukrenergo.”

To carry out the illegal activities, the ex-deputy involved two accomplices:

  • The founder of a private Kyiv-based energy trading company.
  • The director of the same company.

Together, they created three fictitious firms that received electricity from Ukraine’s Unified Energy System and sold it to end consumers. None of these entities made payments to “Ukrenergo” for the electricity supplied.

Money Laundering Operation

Profits from the sales were funneled into shadow operations under the guise of repaying debts to affiliated companies. These “debt repayments” were then transferred to the accounts of another company registered in the Balkans.

According to forensic economic experts, this scheme caused 58.44 million UAH in damages to “Ukrenergo.”

Legal Actions

Law enforcement officials conducted extensive searches in Kyiv, including the residence of the company’s director, who has been notified of their suspicion. The other two suspects, including the ex-deputy and the company’s founder, have been charged in absentia, as they are evading justice abroad.

Charges include:

  • For the ex-deputy and company founder:
    • Part 3, 5 of Article 27; Part 5 of Article 191 (organizing and abetting the misappropriation or embezzlement of property through abuse of office by an organized group, causing particularly large damages).
    • Part 3 of Article 27; Part 3 of Article 209 (money laundering of illegally obtained property).
  • For the company director:
    • Part 5 of Article 191; Part 3 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Implications for Marina Bezrukova

This revelation draws attention to Marina Bezrukova’s tenure at “Ukrenergo” and raises concerns about her competence and ethical conduct in her current role as head of the Defense Procurement Agency. Critics argue that such cases highlight systemic corruption and mismanagement within key state institutions, demanding thorough investigations and accountability.

The case underscores the pressing need for reforms to prevent similar schemes and ensure public trust in government operations.