Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News

5 minutes read. Updated 9:00AM GMT Wed, 11 September, 2024

In a significant development in Uzbekistan’s ongoing battle against corruption and financial mismanagement, the Prosecutor General’s Office has uncovered a massive scheme involving the falsification of employment reports and the embezzlement of substantial funds. The revelations were detailed at a briefing held by the Agency for Information and Mass Communications (AIMC) today.

Fraudulent Job Reports and Financial Mismanagement

According to Hayot Shamsutdinov, head of the General Prosecutor’s Office’s information service, a thorough review of employment programs revealed that 764,723 jobs were falsely reported. This fraudulent activity, aimed at inflating employment statistics, led to severe repercussions as the individuals responsible have been held accountable. The investigation also highlighted the embezzlement of 4.2 billion UZS in wages and benefits, prompting the initiation of 52 criminal cases.

Support and Recovery Efforts

Amidst these revelations, the Prosecutor General’s Office has made considerable strides in addressing the issues highlighted in their recent address to the people of Uzbekistan. Over 5,000 families listed in the “Iron Notebook” have received assistance, including housing repairs for 181 families and newly constructed homes for 57 families. Additionally, efforts are underway to support 246,673 women and 36,687 young people listed in the “Women’s Notebook” and “Youth Notebook,” respectively.

The office also reported significant employment and support activities: 3,158 young people were employed, 6,277 individuals were allocated land for rent, 1,526 were involved in entrepreneurship, and 5,036 achieved self-employment. Furthermore, vocational and foreign language training was provided to 4,062 people, and contract payments were made for 9,988 individuals.

Financial Repercussions and Accountability

In response to the financial mismanagement, the Prosecutor General’s Office recovered 2.3 billion UZS in delayed wages for 327 workers. The broader investigation into wage and benefit embezzlement has led to 52 criminal cases. Additionally, practical assistance was provided to 15,650 entrepreneurs and foreign investors, addressing issues related to land, licenses, and other regulatory matters. This intervention resulted in the restoration of 5,755 non-operational business entities, preserving over 7,000 jobs.

Legal and Disciplinary Actions

Oversight activities have led to significant disciplinary measures. A total of 347 individuals were subjected to disciplinary action, 1,520 faced administrative penalties, and 1,909 officials received formal warnings. The rights of 196 physical and legal entities were restored, and 215 criminal cases were initiated for severe legal violations. Moreover, the state recovered 35 billion UZS in damages, highlighting the scale of the financial misconduct addressed by the authorities.

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