On February 4, 2015 Anti-corruption Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs received materials from the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia on the probable facts of money appropriation in 2013-2014 at “United Water Supply Company of Georgia”, on the basis of which investigation was launched on the same day under the article 182, II part, sub-paragraph “E” and part III of the same article, sub-paragraph “B” envisaged by the Criminal Code of Georgia.
Investigation established that from December 21, 2012 till January 1, 2015 Tamar Pkhovelishvili was employed on leading positions at Finance Department of “United Water Supply Company of Georgia” including the position of the Director of Finance Department. She was authorized to manage company’s funds and had full access to accounts of the organization.
In the beginning of 2013 Tamar Pkhovelishvili intended to illegally appropriate large amount of sum owned by “United Water Supply Company” by misusing her powers. She shared her criminal intention with her spouse – Zurab Nutsubidze, with whom she formed organized criminal group. For money appropriation, they agreed to use personal account of Tamar Pkhovelishvili, as well as accounts of organizations registered by Zurab Nutsubidze including accounts of those organizations which were only formally registered on the names of other individuals and were actually owned by Nutsusbidze. On the mentioned accounts, sums in large quantities were supposed to be illegally transacted from the account of “United Water Supply Company of Georgia”.
From March 31, 2013 till December 31, 2014 Tamar Pkhovelishvili and Zurab Nutsubidze illegally transacted and appropriated 2 227 887 GEL in total to the aforementioned accounts as if in exchange for services rendered to “United Water Supply Company of Georgia”.
Investigation also established that in 2013-2014 Tamar Pkhovelishvili and Zurab Nutsubidze purchased expensive car and apartment with illegally appropriated funds, which were seized by the investigation.
On February 13, 2015 Zurab Tsintsadze was detained and charged on February 15, 2015, while Tamar Pkhovelishvili was charged in absentia under the article 182, I part, sub-paragraph “E” and part III of the same article, sub-paragraphs “A” and “B” of the Criminal Code which envisages from 7 to 11 years of imprisonment.
Defendants were sentenced to imprisonment.
Investigation is holding all possible measures to ascertain whereabouts of Tamar Pkhovelishvili. Investigation also continues to expose other accomplices of the crime.
