Four charged with fraudulent appropriation of $122,000 in state funds, forgery

The Investigative Service of the Finance Ministry of Georgia on Monday said it had revealed fraudulent appropriation of ₾330,097 ($122,000) in state funds and use of forged documents by four individuals involved in roadworks in the west of the country.

The body said the offenders had “artificially increased the volume of works” for renovation of a  road in the Samegrelo region between 2021-2022. 

Misrepresenting the work volume through forged documents with the goal of illegally obtaining state funds, the group also hired professionals for an evaluation of the work who failed to indicate the alleged violations. 

The crime is punishable by six to nine years in prison.