DBR exposes purchase of 24 tonnes of mud instead of therapeutic mud at DSS centre

Investigation establishes large-scale abuse

The State Bureau of Investigation has exposed the mechanism of illegal use of budget funds at the "Odesa" Medical Rehabilitation Centre of the State Emergency Service.

According to the criminal case materials, employees of the state institution and representatives of private business coordinated their actions to procure 24 tonnes of therapeutic mud.

Who is involved in the scheme

Investigators point to the involvement of several individuals in the offence. Among them are:

• the acting head of the medical rehabilitation centre;
• the chief nurse of the facility;
• the head of a private company;
• a manager of the same private entity.

Mud instead of therapeutic mud

During the inspection, law enforcement officers found a significant discrepancy between the ordered and received products. Instead of specialised therapeutic mud that was supposed to meet the contract conditions, ordinary mud was delivered to the centre.

Thus, budget funds were spent on goods that did not meet the stated requirements and could not be used for their intended purpose.

Signs of restricted competition

In addition to the supply of non-compliant products, the investigation recorded signs of artificial restriction of competition during the tender procedures.

Charges brought to four suspects

Currently, the DBR has notified two officials of the "Odesa" Medical Rehabilitation Centre, as well as the head and manager of the private company involved in the scheme, of their suspicion.