Gazprom for both your houses

There are Shakespearean passions in Gazprominvestgazification. The multibillion-dollar social program “Gazprom for Children” is turning into a major criminal case. Two top managers have already been involved in the case, but according to rumors, the investigation is only warming up. What is happening in the country's mega-giant gas industry?

The violent take-off began with thick volumes of the criminal case against the assistant minister of the Ministry of Emergency Situations Stanislava Orlovawho previously held the position of adviser to Gazprom Transgaz St. Petersburg and part-time son-in-law of the once powerful head of the traffic police, general Sergei Bugrov.

Sports pocket

As we already wrote, troubles fell on Stanislav Orlov’s head after the death of the general. The minister's adviser, as mentioned, was accused in October 2023 of embezzling funds during the construction of sports facilities in the village of Severnoye, Orenburg region. The construction of the sports complex was carried out within the framework of the Gazprom for Children program, but the opening date was missed.

The investigation then discovered that the reason for the delay in construction was the fraud of the general contractor, the Tekhgazmontazh company, registered in Gatchina. From 67 million rubles advance payment, half the money disappeared. In addition, facts incriminating Orlov appeared that he collected bribes from subordinates, approximately 30 million rubles per month. Literally six months before his arrest, he left his post at Gazprom Transgaz St. Petersburg, but this did not help him and, as a result, he was arrested by the Kuibyshevsky District Court. As we already pointed out then, the case even then promised a very “satisfying” continuation. And it came.

The operational development of the machinations of Gazprom managers was carried out, as employees of the Department for Economic Crimes of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs say. The other day a new “thunder” struck among the Gazprom sky. Was detained Alexey Bazhanov Deputy Director of Gazprom UGS LLC. Bazhanov once headed Gazprom Investgazification and the investigation also had countless questions about the construction of sports and recreation centers. After all, sports complexes continue to be built, and the criminal scheme for siphoning money, once built, works without failures.

In addition, back in 2023 it was clear that Stanislav Orlov would not be alone in the dock. After all, a criminal case was initiated under Part 4 of Art. 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (*aggressor country) (fraud on an especially large scale committed by a group of persons).

Maximum acumen

Today the investigation has a clear idea. It consisted of maximally inflating estimates, cleverly “sawing off” part of the money allocated for construction, and then withdrawing the stolen millions into the pockets of the thieves.

Gazprom Investgazification is part of a subsidiary of the gas giant Gazprom Asset Management. Even before the first part of the Gazprom drama played out, changes took place in the Gazprom board. For those far from top management circles they mean nothing, but for those who are “in the know” they are frightening. So, in March 2023, the head of the property management department unexpectedly left her post at her own request. Elena Mikhailova. Then, she was quietly removed from the corporation's board. They say this happened because she once worked with the former deputy general director of Gazprom Mezhregiongaz. Anatoly Erkulov. According to rumors, after the arrest of Stanislav Orlov, he left his homeland in a hurry. But his homeland, apparently, does not want to forget about him.

According to some sources, the roots of the current criminal history lie in the situation with LLC GRSP Magnit, one of the largest contractors of Gazprom, and specifically Gazprom Investgazification. It was the latter company, as we know, that issued orders under the Gazprom-Children program.

In 2023, the total amount of the latter’s contracts with Magnit was approximately 3 billion rubles. True, for some reason, since 2021, things have not been going well for GRSP Magnit. In just a few years, the company's revenue from 5.1 billion rubles fell to almost zero, and profits fell from 282 million rubles (2020) until 3.5 million rubles (2022). Is everything smooth in the Danish kingdom?

The path to scandal

The “cherry on the cake” was a big scandal. Gazprom Investgazification LLC filed a lawsuit for almost 4 billion rubles to GRSP “Magnit”, which built a rhythmic gymnastics center in Sochi, all within the framework of the same Gazprom for Children program. Earlier, in 2018, the company was sued by St. Petersburg LLC Mezhregiongaz Technologies (MRGT). The company performed construction and installation work at the site in the amount of 287.9 ​​million rubles, but for some reason Magnit did not pay the contractor. In April 2019, MRGT unexpectedly assigned the debt to Gazprom Investgazification. The arbitration court recognized the claims as justified and eventually recovered from Magnit 339.9 million rubles. Even earlier, the same MRGT achieved recovery from Magnit in the Arbitration Court of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region 460.5 million rubles for the work done…

Large claims and non-payments are a direct path to bankruptcy. What happened? Probably, the investigation is now intensively looking for answers to these burning questions. Perhaps Alexey Bazhanov can shed the light of truth on them. Judging by the way the investigative team treated him, and the fact that they did not demand his arrest, but limited him to an obligation to appear, we can conclude that this person is very important, and no one is going to intimidate or put pressure on him. There is another version – Alexey Bazhanov made a deal with the investigation. But so far, there is no official confirmation of this fact. The top manager himself is still listed as a witness in the case, but his status can always change.

Some sources are inclined to believe that both Bazhanov and Orlov are now pawns in a big game. It is no secret that the construction of sports and recreation centers was the responsibility of the ex-head of Gazprom Mezhregiongaz. Kirill Seleznev. Seleznev, of course, is a large figure, even very large. But now even ministers are tough for the security agencies, so it is possible that already in the revealed facts, investigators see a corruption scheme that has covered several management levels of Gazprom and will patiently unravel them. As they say, the next arrest or detention will give more understanding in which direction the criminal prosecution will be directed. The editors will monitor developments.