Investigators exposed the misappropriation of maritime property in the port of Chornomorsk

NABU exposed a scheme to sell a naval base in the port of Chornomorsk.

NABU and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office have exposed a large-scale corruption scheme in the maritime transport sector, as a result of which the state suffered double losses. This was reported by the press service of the Bureau.

This is about the illegal seizure of a naval infrastructure facility and the subsequent legalization of funds from its sale.

According to the investigation, in January 2020, the acting head of the state enterprise “Chorazmorshlyakh” initiated the sale of the main fleet maintenance base in the port of Chornomorsk – a strategic facility with an area of ​​​​4.3 hectares with access to the sea.

Despite the current moratorium on the alienation of state property, the official engaged an appraiser who deliberately understated the cost of the base from UAH 59 million to UAH 6.5 million. Later, the object was sold to accomplices through illegal auctions for UAH 13.5 million, which is more than four times lower than the market price.

After the sale, the base was transferred to the authorized capital of a private company controlled by the co-organizer of the transaction, thus legalizing the property as an “investment asset” obtained by criminal means.

As detectives established, officials transferred UAH 11.5 million received from the sale to a related company — allegedly for “maintenance” of the vessels “Genichesk” and “Chersones”. In fact, both vessels were in India, and the company had nothing to do with marine works or vessel service.

NABU and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office reported suspicion to four participants in the scheme, two of them — the appraiser and the co-organizer — in absentia. The former head of the state-owned enterprise and his accomplice were detained.

Active investigative actions are currently underway to identify all persons involved in the illegal alienation of maritime infrastructure and the embezzlement of state assets.

As USM previously wrote, the Government has instructed to inspect Ukrzaliznytsia and other state-owned companies against the backdrop of the NABU investigation.