Ex-Odesa Regional Deputy Sentenced Over $16 Million Street Lighting Scam.

Verdict Delivered by the High Anti-Corruption Court

According to Novyny.live: In a landmark ruling, Ukraine's High Anti-Corruption Court has convicted former Odesa Regional Council deputy Mykola Derevyanko and construction firm director Volodymyr Herasymchuk for abusing their official positions. Their actions inflicted over 16 million Ukrainian hryvnias in damages on the Tsebrykove community. The case stems from an investigation that uncovered serious irregularities in contracts for street lighting upgrades in the town of Tsebrykove. This verdict underscores the judiciary's ongoing efforts to hold public officials accountable in a country where graft has long plagued local governance.

Derevyanko, who served two consecutive terms on the Odesa Regional Council, orchestrated these contracts in 2018. As a result, the community suffered severe financial losses. One episode alone accounted for roughly 6 million hryvnias in damages, while another totaled 10.4 million hryvnias. Such misconduct had a crippling effect on infrastructure development in the region, diverting funds that could have been used for public services.

Sentences and Broader Implications

The court handed down stiff penalties: Derevyanko received a prison term of 4 years and 6 months, while Herasymchuk was sentenced to 4 years behind bars. This case highlights the critical need to combat corruption in the public sector and demands greater accountability for officials who abuse their authority.

This conviction marks a significant step in the state's anti-corruption drive, which remains a pressing challenge for Ukraine. It reinforces the urgent call for transparency in public procurement and stricter oversight of officials' conduct, especially amid tight budgets. Importantly, this ruling should serve as a stark warning to other civil servants that abusing their positions will not be tolerated.