Bribe of 12 million for a contract with the port of Chornomorsk: the case was referred to court
12.06.2025 - 17:10
The company director tried to give a 12 million UAH bribe to get a profitable contract with the state-owned port of Chornomorsk.
The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) has sent a case to court against the director of a private company. She is accused of trying to give 12 million UAH to the management of the port of Chornomorsk, the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office press service reported.
The story began back in 2018, when one company — European Agro Investment Ukraine LLC — leased more than 113 thousand square meters of state-owned real estate in the Odessa region for 49 years. After that, the company accumulated debts, and in 2020 a bankruptcy case was opened against it.
During this procedure, another private enterprise appeared that wanted to participate in the rehabilitation (i.e., “save” the bankrupt as an investor). Interestingly, this enterprise was represented by the former director of the bankrupt company.
According to the investigation, it was this director who, in October 2020, was offered money by representatives of the state port to influence the management of the enterprise in order to conclude a profitable contract. The matter was about transferring the right of claim to a private company — that is, the ability to receive funds or assets from the debtor.
The amount of the bribe was UAH 12 million. The money was to be transferred to the account of another company — supposedly as part of a business transaction. Thus, the participants in the scheme tried to hide the true nature of the payment.
There are three defendants in the case: the head of the port’s legal service, a former advisor to the port director, and the director of a private company. Two of them have already pleaded guilty and received sentences. The third will appear in court in the near future.
She is accused of abuse of influence by prior conspiracy, which is provided for by the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Also, as USM wrote the day before, the deputy “head” of the Kherson port was reported a suspicioun.
