Case against former head of the ODA department in Odesa has been closed.

In Odesa, a court closed a criminal case that was opened against the former director of the department of investment, international and inter-regional cooperation of the Odesa Regional State Administration.

According to the investigation, during the period from 2019 to 2020 years, the official organized a fictitious employment arrangement for a person who was not actually performing any duties. At the same time, the attendance of this person was noted in the work hour records, which allowed for the illegal accrual of wages. The total amount of damages amounted to 118 thousand 511 hryvnias. In January 2023 year, the investigation was suspended, and the official was declared wanted.

The former official explained that she left with her daughter for Dubai in February 2022 year, and after the start of the full-scale invasion, she moved to the United States, fearing for her own safety. In September 2024 year, she independently applied to the court, requesting to resume the case and allow her to participate in court hearings remotely.

The judge concluded that the woman was not intentionally evading the investigation, and the five-year statute of limitations had expired on February 5 2025 year. In addition, the court considered the full compensation of damages to the state and the transfer of 72 thousand hryvnias to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As a result, the judge acquitted the former official and closed the criminal case. The pre-trial detention and asset seizure imposed on her were also lifted.