The Main Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee has finished investigating a criminal case over stealing of funds from non-commercial organization Valery Gergiyev Charity Fund. Former Director of the Fund, Head of Musical Festival “Stars of White Nights” and Moscow Easter Festival Igor Zotov and Kazbek Lakuti are charged with three crimes under part 4 of article 160 of the RF Criminal Code (misappropriation and two facts of embezzlement).
According to investigators in 2009-2010 Zotov and Lakuti developed a criminal scheme and used it to steal 245 million rubles from Valery Gergiyev Charity Fund, which they transferred to accounts of firms controlled by them and then spent to buy 6 expensive apartments and 6 parking places in an elite house in the center of Moscow. They registered the real estate on their wives. In order to conceal embezzlement the accused under knowing irrevocable loan agreements compensated the sum stolen from the Fund by the money of Zotov controlled organizations: Musical Festival “Stars of White Nights” and Moscow Easter Festival. The sum damage made to all three organizations is estimated at 472 million rubles. This money received as donations should have been spent on assisting activities in the area of culture, art, education, development of charity programs, conferences and exhibitions.
To ensure the compensation of damage investigators have arrested all property of the accused.
Investigators have gathered enough evidence and the case has been sent for the indictment to be approved and further to court to be tried on the merits.
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