There's no such thing as a free lunch
On April 11, 2017, the verdict of the Beshenkovichi District Court dated January 20, 2017, against the convicted employees of Beshenkovichi RAYPO: Yatsuk, Okunevich, Galay, Shlyk, Dobrovolskaya, came into legal force.
For a long time, inspections were carried out, the issue of initiating a criminal case was decided, the investigation of the case lasted almost 6 months, and the events that became fatal for the accused were meticulously and thoroughly established.
The financially responsible persons did not consider that all secrets eventually come to light, that their actions disgrace themselves and their families, and that a severe reckoning awaited them for their deeds.
Having considered the criminal case, the court concluded that Yatsuk, Okunevich, and Galay were guilty of embezzlement and misappropriation of property entrusted to them, committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy, on an especially large scale; Shlyk was guilty of embezzlement and misappropriation of property entrusted to him, committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy, on a large scale; and Dobrovolskaya was guilty of embezzlement and misappropriation of property entrusted to her, committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy, on an especially large scale, as well as embezzlement and misappropriation of property entrusted to her, committed repeatedly.
During the court session, it was established that from November 11, 2013, to February 9, 2016, Yatsuk was a salesperson performing the duties of the manager of the "Na Molodezhnoy" mini-store of Beshenkovichi RAYPO. During this period, Galay and Okunevich consistently worked in the team. From November 6, 2013, to November 3, 2014, Dobrovolskaya worked in the team, and from March 23, 2015, to November 10, 2015, Shlyk worked. They worked in shifts, everyone received and sold goods, the display of goods in the store was closed, there were only two refrigerators with beer and fish in the sales area. Expired or spoiled goods were not accounted for; they were either thrown away or taken by the sellers for themselves. At the same time, both Yatsuk and all the sellers took goods from the store for themselves without payment, kept a record of debts in a notebook, intending to repay the debt later.
Audits in the store were conducted 3-4 times a year. They knew when an audit would take place. The team always prepared for the audit: they conducted their own inventory of remaining goods on the eve of the audit. Shortages were always identified, which they tried to conceal by bringing in goods from other stores. Colleagues did not refuse to help with this. The goods were returned to the stores after the audit.
Goods were taken on consignment from a familiar entrepreneur, with whom payment was made from the store's cash register after the audit.
Part of the shortage was covered by the sellers' money, and after the audit, they took this money back to repay debts, and if they took a loan, the money remained in the cash register. Only in August 2015 did an audit reveal a shortage of 19 million rubles, which was covered jointly. The shortage grew with each audit.
As established in the court session, such a situation developed with the arrival of Dobrovolskaya in the team. Under her, goods began to be taken without payment, and during 2 audits, the shortage was concealed. When Dobrovolskaya left, her debt to the store amounted to 20 million rubles. It was not repaid. Dobrovolskaya's total debt, including the cost of goods given to her before the audit at the "Produkty" store to cover the shortage, amounted to 25 million rubles. The goods were given for the audit period, but it turned out that she had a store transfer, and the goods remained in the "Produkty" store after the transfer, and Dobrovolskaya refused to return the money.
When Shlyk joined the team, the sellers' debt amounted to 75 million rubles, and it was roughly the same for everyone. Shlyk joined the team and was immediately informed about the existing situation, accepting the "rules of the game." Upon leaving the team, her debt was 35 million rubles. She promised to return the money later, but the debt was not repaid.
The shortage of 300 million rubles (excluding denomination) could not be concealed, and therefore it was decided to inform the board of RAYPO about it. An audit was conducted in the store without taking measures to conceal the shortage, and it amounted to 300 million rubles. This sum included the sellers' debts, as well as a public debt of 20 million rubles. Sellers released goods to the public on credit, and the amounts were recorded in a notebook.
Goods were given on credit, and this was not a secret; in cases of financial hardship, people would go to this store. Debts were usually repaid, but 20 million remained outstanding. The debt of one customer, amounting to 7 million rubles, which was not repaid even during the criminal case proceedings in court, is striking. Goods were given on credit indiscriminately to everyone who asked, even to barely acquainted individuals. Money was taken from the cash register for personal needs without the knowledge of team members, goods were taken without weighing, and insufficient attention was paid to the sale of perishable products.
The defendants partially admitted guilt in committing the crimes, largely blaming the employer, but their guilt was fully proven in court for all charges brought, and they all received punishment taking into account the absence of aggravating circumstances and the presence of mitigating circumstances.
Yatsuk, Okunevich (Galynya), Galai E.N., Shlyk A.V. committed grave crimes, Dobrovolskaya T.V. committed a grave and a less grave crime. All defendants are being prosecuted for criminal offenses for the first time. There are no aggravating circumstances for their responsibility. Mitigating circumstances for Yatsuk, Okunevich, Galai, Shlyk were recognized as active assistance in identifying the crime and exposing other participants in the crime; for all defendants, taking measures to compensate for the damage caused by the crime; for Yatsuk, Okunevich (Galynya), Shlyk, Dobrovolskaya, having minor children as dependents.
Yatsuk, in accordance with Part 4 of Article 211 of the Criminal Code, was sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment; Okunevich, Galai to 3 years and 6 months of imprisonment; Shlyk, in accordance with Part 3 of Article 211 of the Criminal Code, to 2 years and 6 months of imprisonment; Dobrovolskaya, in accordance with Part 3 of Article 211, Part 2 of Article 211 of the Criminal Code, to 3 years of imprisonment, to be served in a correctional colony under general regime conditions. Confiscation of property and deprivation of the right to hold positions related to the receipt, storage, accounting, and release of material assets for a period of 5 years were applied to all convicted persons.
The district prosecutor, in the interests of Beshenkovichi RAYPO, filed a lawsuit for the recovery of damages caused by the crime, which will be considered by the court in civil proceedings.
The mousetrap has snapped shut, and the convicted will have time to reflect on whether the game they started was worth the candle. Children will grow up without mothers, parents will suffer, and they themselves will be released and for a long time will be jointly obliged to repay the debt to Beshenkovichi RAYPO. It is hoped that all trade workers of the Beshenkovichi district will draw conclusions from the current situation, and Beshenkovichi RAYPO will take measures to prevent the misappropriation and embezzlement of entrusted property by sellers.
Deputy Prosecutor
of Beshenkovichi District
Junior Justice Counselor E.I. Leshenok