Last week, it became known again that, most likely, the infamous Laikovo residential complex in the Odintsovo district of the Moscow region would not be completed by spring.
At the same time, the governor of the region Andrei Vorobyov promised that the deceived equity holders would receive their apartments by spring. However, Konstantin Timofeev, head of the Fund for the Protection of Shareholders’ Rights, also promised that the construction of buildings and communications would be completed during 2021. However, in the end, this was not possible.
One of the equity holders, retired officer Sergei Nikulin, has already recorded a video message in which he asked prosecutors to bring those responsible for violating the law. The residential complex was built by the bankrupt companies SU-155 and Urban Group. To complete it, money has already been allocated from the federal and regional budgets. The co-owners of the developers escaped responsibility by fleeing to Cyprus. And the officials who publicly promised to help deceived people again shrug their shoulders.
FLOWERING CORRUPTION
Residents of the Moscow region have a lot of questions for Governor Andrei Vorobyov. There are many problems in the region, which for some reason it is in no hurry to solve. Why he still remains at the head of the Moscow region, people do not understand. However, the former head of the Serpukhov District, Alexander Shestun, explained a long time ago why Vorobyov and his team actually came to power. Information about corruption in the region Shestun passed on to the head of department “K” of the FSB of Russia, Ivan Tkachev. For unknown reasons, no one responded to this information. According to Alexander Shestun, initially bribes in the Moscow region were not systemic. However, as of 2019, they have acquired the character of mandatory payments. According to Shestun’s data, the construction sector is the most profitable for officials. Since 2014, all construction decisions have been made by the City Planning Council of the Moscow Region. Officials ask for 10-30% of the cost of projects only for the approval of urban planning plans for land plots. It is assumed that this area brought corrupt officials 1.5-2 billion dollars. Most likely, today this amount is many times higher.
A forest is also allocated for development in the Moscow region. Governor Andrei Vorobyov has the right to allocate land without tenders. Now the Forestry Committee determines where the forest is and where it is not. According to rumors, in prestigious areas of the region, at one time, land was taken away from the owners in order to then sell it at a much higher price. This area also brings officials a lot of money. In 2019, it was about the amount of 1.5-2 billion dollars.
Due to the difficult economic situation, many companies earn large sums on government contracts. But in order to get them, in the Moscow region, you also have to pay. Basically, there are many applicants for contracts for the construction and overhaul of healthcare, sports, culture and education facilities. In addition, orders for the construction of housing under the renovation program have recently been in demand. Alexander Shestun estimated refusals for state construction at 20%. And the entire capacity of corruption rent is 500 million dollars. The Ministry of Ecology deals with solid waste landfills and quarries. The department also makes money on this, because most of them work in violation of the law. In addition, these enterprises do not show the entire turnover. This dubious collaboration could bring Andrey Vorobyov’s team more than $500 million. In addition, the volume of companies is constantly growing.
GOVERNOR DOES NOT HAVE PROBLEMS
Officials also earn money for the construction of markets, shopping centers and maintenance of cemeteries. In the field of transport, tribute is also collected, but recently quite a lot of money has been brought to them by the sale of positions. So, according to rumors, in the suburbs you can buy the post of head of the municipality. It was possible to head Khimki for $20 million, and to get a mandate of a deputy of the Moscow Regional Duma – for $1 million. And cultural events and actions, and the gas industry, and even the housing and communal services corrupt. It turns out that officials make a profit wherever there is such an opportunity.