Kropyvnytskyi education chief granted bail

On March 21, the Kirovsky District Court of Kropyvnytskyi chose a preventive measure in the form of bail for the head of the city education department, Larisa Kostenko, who is one of five suspects in the embezzlement of budget funds in a particularly large amount and official forgery.

This was reported to the Public Prosecutor Iryna Kucherenko.

She and prosecutor Margarita Koval requested that the suspect be given a preventive measure in the form of a bail of 702 thousand hryvnias.

Possession of someone else's property through abuse of official position, committed on a particularly large scale under martial law by an organized group. In official forgery, preparation of knowingly false official documents, which caused losses of more than three million hryvnias. The punishment for these actions is imprisonment for up to 12 years with confiscation of property and deprivation of the right to hold certain positions for up to three years

He believes there are risks that the suspect may hide from the investigation, destroy evidence, and influence witnesses.

Currently, evidence, reports and notifications on the detection of criminal offenses, witness statements in this criminal proceeding, expert opinions and results of forensic economic examinations have been collected. According to them, it was established that excess budget money was transferred under energy service contracts. In particular, for preschool educational institution No. 69 'Krystalyk' the amount is one million 172 thousand 61 hryvnias, for preschool educational institution No. 71 'Katerynka' – 573 thousand 985 hryvnias, for preschool educational institution No. 61 'Gnizdechko' – 510 thousand 723 hryvnias and for 'Girnychay Gymnasium' – 975 thousand 289 hryvnias

Larysa Kostenko said that the accusations were unfounded and denied the charges.

“The initiative was not taken by the education department, the state obliged us, and we were given a task by the executive committee’s decision, which we had to fulfill. And as a result, we attracted investment money for four objects, which is 24 million for the implementation of full or partial insulation of buildings. I am ready to defend every signed contract, every project, and every step taken on the path to energy independence for our community. I have no intention of evading justice, which is confirmed by my voluntary cooperation with the investigation.”

She asked to deny the prosecutors' motion.

“Given the absence of risks, a sufficient preventive measure for me would be a personal commitment or a bail by my son's brothers and deputies. Therefore, I ask that the request for the application of a preventive measure in the form of bail be denied and that a more lenient preventive measure be considered.”

Judge Lesya Haupsheva decided to apply a preventive measure to the suspect in the form of a bail of 363,360 hryvnias. The suspect must pay the money within five days. In addition, she was obliged to appear before the investigating prosecutor upon first request, not to travel outside the region without his permission or the permission of the court, and to notify them of any change of residence or place of work.

According to Larisa Kostenko, she will appeal the decision.

"I will appeal this decision in the appellate court. I think that my son's siblings, like the first time, will look for money to post bail."

Prosecutor Margarita Koval said that they are currently preparing a motion to suspend the suspects from work. They will decide whether to appeal the court's decision on the preventive detention after receiving the full text of the ruling.

We remind you that it was previously reported that officials in Kropyvnytskyi are suspected of embezzling the budget.