Officials from the НАБУ and САП объявили о подозрении against the leadership of the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (Госспецсвязь) over embezzlement of budget funds totaling more than 62 million UAH ($1.7 million).
According to investigators, the former head of Gosspetsvyaz, Yuriy Shygol, colluded with the owner of a group of companies and, during 2020–2022, carried out schemes with budget funds allocated for the procurement of equipment and software.
«Two controlled companies were involved in the scheme, and the tender was conducted in a closed manner to guarantee their victory», — NABU said.
According to calculations, in total the subsidiary State Enterprise “Ukrainian Special Systems” concluded contracts for supplies worth more than 285 million UAH, while the actual cost of the software amounted to 223 million UAH. The difference of over 62 million UAH was diverted to accounts of foreign-controlled companies.
During searches of Shygol, investigators found $72,000 and €82,000 in cash, as well as a cryptocurrency wallet containing 1.2 million USDT and 6.9 BTC (totaling $1.46 million).
In addition to the former head of Gosspetsvyaz, suspicions were brought against his deputy Viktor Zhora, the CEO and an employee of the state enterprise, as well as the owner of the group of companies and one of its employees.
The question of selecting a pre-trial detention measure for the suspects is being decided. The investigation continues.
Earlier, NABU detained a Ukrainian MP who tried to give a Bitcoin-bribe to an official of the state service Bitcoin-bribe of $50,000.