As a result of large-scale anti-corruption measures carried out throughout the day in various regions of Georgia by officers of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service (SSS), 4 individuals were detained in connection with corruption and other crimes identified in four separate criminal cases, while a total of 11 people have been held criminally liable.

The announcement was made at an SSS briefing by Emzar Gagnidze, Director of the Anti-Corruption Agency.

First case: On charges of large-scale fraud, forgery and use of false official documents, as well as aiding and abetting large-scale fraud, criminal charges were brought against: two individuals who were the actual executors of works under the name of LLC “Crosspoint”, the 100% shareholder and director of the company, and two individuals responsible for monitoring and inspecting contract compliance.

The investigation established that during the rehabilitation works of a 15.26 km local road (Marneuli–Lomtagora–Algeti), the defendants fraudulently misappropriated 2,089,154 GEL belonging to the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure by preparing and using false official documents, causing significant financial damage to the state.

According to an expert assessment, the road rehabilitated by LLC Crosspoint is unfit for use, which forced the contracting authority to announce a new tender and sign a contract with another entity for road rehabilitation.

The investigation is being conducted under Articles 180(3)(b), 25-180(3)(b), and 362(2)(b) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which carry a penalty of 6 to 9 years’ imprisonment.

Second case: In Kaspi Municipality, an employee of the National Food Agency (LEPL) under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, along with one civilian, were detained on charges of accepting a bribe and assisting in bribery.

With the assistance of the civilian, the agency employee issued false certificates required for the sale of beef in exchange for 560 GEL, without inspecting either the meat’s suitability or the products supplied to consumers.

The investigation is underway under Articles 338(1) and 25-338(1) of the Criminal Code, which provide for 6 to 9 years’ imprisonment.

Third case: In Tbilisi, one individual was detained for manufacturing, acquiring, storing, and distributing counterfeit currency. The suspect sold a total of 7,000 counterfeit US dollars, receiving 2,450 US dollars in return from a citizen.

According to an expert examination, the counterfeit bills do not correspond to genuine banknotes issued by the US Federal Reserve, and are therefore fake.

The investigation is being conducted under Article 212(2)(a) of the Criminal Code, which предусматривает 7 to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Fourth case: In Samegrelo, specifically in Chkhorotsku Municipality, investigative actions led to the detention of the director of LLC “New Passage” on charges of large-scale fraud, while two employees of the supervisory company LLC “TIGA AuditEscort” were charged with assisting in large-scale fraud.

During the execution of concrete road surfacing works in the village of Akhuti, Chkhorotsku Municipality, the director and 100% shareholder of LLC “New Passage”, with the assistance of supervisory company employees, fraudulently misappropriated 254,990 GEL belonging to the Chkhorotsku Municipal City Hall, causing significant damage to the state. The road constructed is also unfit for use.

The investigation is ongoing under Articles 180(3)(b) and 25-180(3)(b) of the Criminal Code, which carry a sentence of 6 to 9 years’ imprisonment.

Additional information: Within the framework of the investigations, covert investigative measures were carried out on the basis of court orders, resulting in the acquisition of audio and video evidence documenting the criminal activities.

The Anti-Corruption Agency stated that it will continue working to detect and prevent all forms of corruption.

“Once again, we strictly warn anyone who intends to harm the interests of the state and society through personal corrupt schemes: we have both the will and the means to fully uncover every corrupt deal and do everything possible to ensure maximum prevention. Appropriate conclusions should be drawn from both the steps already taken and those yet to come, and criminal activity must cease,” the SSS statement reads.