Prosecutor's Office Reports Officials Embezzled Large Sum of Money

The officials of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs have embezzled 17.5 million drams from the state, according to a statement from the Prosecutor's Office press service.

Specifically, it is noted that in 2017, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs purchased medical equipment worth 51,900,000 drams, electrical equipment worth 9,245,000 drams, and two vehicles worth 34 million drams for the needs of "Yerevan No. 1 Boarding House" from two different companies.

“It has been revealed that a medical device worth 4,670,000 drams, the 'Ultrasonic Sonographic Apparatus,' has not been utilized since the date of purchase in 2017. Furthermore, according to the license issued by the Ministry of Health, the State Non-Commercial Organization did not have permission to conduct medical examinations with the mentioned equipment,” the statement said.

In addition, it was documented that 72 electrically controlled medical beds were purchased at an inflated price. Out of the 14 electrical devices supplied under contracts worth 9,245,000 drams, six and two Nissan Urvan vehicles worth 34 million drams did not meet the technical specifications required by the contracts.

However, the officials of the State Non-Commercial Organization in 2017 created false acceptance-receipt acts that did not correspond to reality, recording that the deliveries as specified were compliant with the contractual specifications.

Further investigation also revealed that in 2020, a sum of 10 million drams, which was supposed to be returned to the state budget, was allocated as bonuses to the director and administrative staff of the State Non-Commercial Organization.

The Prosecutor General's Office has reported the crime to the Anti-Corruption Committee for initiating criminal proceedings.