Construction company charged for embezzlement of millions of dollars

Georgia’s Chief Prosecutor’s Office has today charged four leading figures of the construction company Centre Point Group for embezzlement of an especially large amount of public money, affecting about 6,000 people. 

The Office said the company's leadership embezzled about $10 million of consumers money, which was intended to be spent on new accommodations in Georgia’s western, coastal Adjara region. 

Also today the Prosecutor’s Office addressed Tbilisi City Court with a motion to issue a detention permit on Centre Point founder Maia Rcheulishvili, his son and head of the Supervisory Council of the same company Guram (Guka) Rcheulishvili, as well as directors of the company’s Adjara region branch - Centre Point Adjara - Irakli Mindeli and Salome Charkviani. 

Mindeli and Charkviani have already been detained, while Guram Rcheulishvili is wanted. The Court refused to allow the detention permit on Maia Rcheulishvili, while her involvement in the alleged illegality is being investigated without using the preventive measure.

The Prosecutor’s Office said in 2004-2010, through the indications of Maia and Guram Rcheulishvili, Mindeli and Charkviani embezzled about $10 million from the people who contacted the company.

The Office said as the money was swindled, the company failed to construct three residential buildings in Adjara and fulfill its obligations to consumers, who subsequently experienced significant losses. 

The Prosecutor's Office said the Centre Point leadership also appealed to the customers they had ripped off to give false testimonies to law enforcement bodies, as if the company had fulfilled its obligations. The company then asked its clients to provide more money so their accommodations can be completed. 

The Rcheulishvili family have spoken out against these claims and say they are "victims of political persecution.” 

Meanwhile the clients who experienced great losses from the company held a demonstration in front of  Tbilisi City Court this afternoon and demanded the Centre Point leadership be punished for their actions. 

More than 6,000 individuals experienced losses as they dealt with the construction company in Adjara and Tbilisi.