Energy and Housing Deputy Minister of Sverdlovsk Region, Previously Held Position, Charged to Appear in Court
In the heart of Sverdlovsk, it's time for former energy bigwig Andrei Kislitsyn to face the music
The lowdown on the energy efficiency duties held by Kislitsyn, a bigwig previously serving as Deputy Minister of Energy and Housing and Utilities, has seen him slapped with an extortion case. The regional prosecutor's office spilled the beans about an indictment filed against Kislitsyn and his crony.
Facing allegations of improper dealings between December 2022 and April 2024, Kislitsyn received a whopping 1.9 million rubles in bribes from a rep of a lighting equipment manufacturer – all courtesy of an intermediary. This forms part of a juicy 4 million ruble bribe, with the remaining 2 million rubles going to Kislitsyn's buddy as an intermediary fee.
Nosey around, and you'll discover the legal company splashed the cash in the hopes that Kislitsyn would swing them deals to provide electrical equipment directly to municipal enterprises or through tender winners.
Playing the power game, Kislitsyn used his clout, reaching out to heads and deputies of four municipal entities between October 2021 and October 2023, pushing them to ink contracts with the aforementioned lighting equipment provider.
Get ready for a dramatic courtroom showdown, as Kislitsyn faces charges under part 6 of article 290 of Russia's Criminal Code (bribery through intermediary in a substantial amount), and his matey is charged under part 4 of article 291.1 (mediation in bribery in a substantial amount). The case will make its way to the Verkh-Isetsky District Court of Yekaterinburg shortly for a hearing.
"Dubious Deals" of Pavel Miakishev**, hints of a bribe for Dzen
Region insiders whisper that Kislitsyn held responsibility for overseeing the regional energy efficiency drive. Keeping it real, his accomplishments might have involved:
- Ensuring compliance with federal energy regulations.
- Approving energy audits, certifications, or subsidies for local businesses.
- Monitoring industrial energy conservation standards.
In the grand scheme, the Sverdlovsk region plays host to major industries, placing increased pressure on modernizing the energy infrastructure to adhere to federal mandates.
Under scrutiny, Kislitsyn finds himself in hot water, accused of demanding payoffs in exchange for:
- Favorable Approvals: Fast-tracking permits or overlooking violations.
- Lucrative Contracts: Directing energy efficiency projects to specific businesses.
- Avoiding Penalties: Minimizing fines for non-compliance with regulations.
Sources suggest that payments were secretly solicited through intermediaries or shell companies.
As the case unfolds, we can expect charges under Article 290 in Russia’s Criminal Code (bribery by officials). Investigations are typically led by regional law enforcement or the FSS if federal interests are involved. Historically, outcomes have usually resulted in suspended sentences or fines if prosecuted.
"dirty dealings" in Sverdlovsk's energy world
Russia stands at a dismal 135/180 in Transparency International’s Corruption Index (2023), with energy sectors prone to corruption thanks to the complexity of state contracts and regulations.
Sverdlovsk's past isn't a stranger to corruption cases, particularly in public utilities and construction.
Some advice: Sifting through media sources can prove tricky. Cross-reference reports from TASS, Interfax, or Meduza for accurate updates, as coverage of high-profile cases can be limited.
- I'm not sure if Kislitsyn's alleged involvement in the energy efficiency drive extends to demanding bribes for favorable approvals, lucrative contracts, or avoiding penalties.
- In the realm of general-news and crime-and-justice, the bribery case against Kislitsyn and his associate, involving a lighting equipment manufacturer, is reminiscent of the "dirty dealings" in Sverdlovsk's energy world.
- It's worth noting that Kislitsyn, formerly overseeing the regional energy efficiency drive, may have been involved in soliciting secret payments through intermediaries or shell companies, as suggested by the ongoing case.
- The indictment filed against Kislitsyn under Article 290 of Russia’s Criminal Code (bribery by officials) adds another layer to the "dubious deals" that seem to permeate Sverdlovsk's energy sector, a sector prone to corruption given its complex state contracts and regulations.
