Investigation into software procurement theft at Social Policy Ministry completed - NABU

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have concluded their pre-trial investigation into corrupt actions during software procurement for Ukraine’s Ministry of Social Policy. According to NABU, members of an organized group carried out a large-scale corruption scheme during the procurement process, leading to the termination of another ministry project.

In 2020-2021, the owner of a group of companies, along with officials from the Social Policy Ministry and the State Service of Special Communications, and the former head of the Pension Fund, orchestrated a scheme to procure software at inflated prices. The group halted an existing computerization project at the ministry to clear the way for a company under their control, resulting in state losses of UAH 63 million.

They then ensured a tender was held with conditions that prevented other bidders from participating and brought in another company under their control to create the appearance of competition. As a result, the Social Policy Ministry signed a contract with the 'preferred' supplier, who delivered the software at an inflated price, causing additional state losses of UAH 28.4 million.

Brief written by urgent.news from Interfax-Ukraine's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.