A deputy of the Zhytomyr Regional Council is suspected of fraud related to electricity tariffs.

A deputy of the Zhytomyr Regional Council, who is also the owner of a shopping center, has been suspected of fraud. This information has been reported by the regional prosecutor's office.

According to the investigation, in 2021, the deputy constructed and put into operation a shopping center in Zhytomyr. Subsequently, he implemented a scheme to obtain cheap electricity from JSC “Zhytomyroblenergo” to ensure the operation of the property.

To achieve this, during the conclusion of the electricity supply contract, the suspect used forged documents confirming the presence of a residential building at the shopping center's address. This guaranteed the receipt of electricity at the “household tariff,” which is 2.5 times lower than the “commercial” rate.

The shopping center owner rented out the premises to misled entrepreneurs and received compensation from them for electricity according to the “commercial tariff.” The total retail area of the building amounted to 2100 square meters.

As a result of these illegal actions, state energy companies suffered a material damage of 3.4 million UAH.