MOSCOW, June 2. /TASS/. Vladivostok’s Mayor Igor Pushkaryov and director of the Roads of Vladivostok enterprise Andrey Lushnikov have faced formal charges, Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin has told TASS.
"The special investigations department has charged Vladivostok Mayor Igor Pushkaryov of abuse of office and commercial bribery, and his accomplice - director of the Roads of Vladivostok enterprises Andrey Lushnikov of commercial bribery," Markin said.
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The investigators are going to request the accused be remanded in custody.
Pushkaryov is suspected of arranging a criminal scheme in which the road-building enterprise Roads of Vladivostok purchased a large amount of building materials from the Vostoktsement group of companies, controlled by the mayor’s relatives. The building materials were acquired at grossly overcharged prices. As a result, Pushkaryov embezzled no less than 45 million rubles ($670,000), while the Roads of Vladivostok enterprise suffered a damage of 158 million rubles ($2.3 mln) and accounts payable exceeded 800 million rubles ($12 mln).
Also, in 2012-2014 Pushkaryov allegedly paid a 1.4 million ruble bribe to Lushnikov.
"In exchange Lushnikov, acting to the detriment of legitimate interests and charter goals of the enterprise he was in charge of and in the interests of Pushkaryov and the Vostoktsement group of companies ensured the mentioned group of organizations be selected as providers of building materials under municipal contracts for road repairs and maintenance in Vladivostok," Markin said.