Doctor Arrested for Extorting Money for Medical Services
In Odesa, law enforcement officials arrested a healthcare worker who demanded $1600 from a patient for assisting in securing a group III disability and expediting medical examinations.
According to investigators, a citizen with health issues approached the well-known neurologist, who is the head of the neurology department, seeking advice on the examination process and determining the disability group. The doctor agreed to «help» only for a monetary reward. For arranging the group III disability and speeding up the examination process, she demanded $1600.
The man reported the incident to law enforcement. Investigators from the Odesa Regional Police Department, together with the Security Service of Ukraine, uncovered and documented the criminal activity of the 56-year-old woman.
The doctor received the agreed amount in several installments from the patient. Following this, the police detained her under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. During authorized searches of her office and residence, law enforcement seized cash, mobile phones, and other material evidence. The court has imposed a freeze on the seized property.
With sufficient evidence, investigators notified the doctor of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—receiving unlawful benefits by a public official in connection with the abuse of office, combined with extortion.
The sanctions of the article provide for punishment in the form of imprisonment for up to 10 years with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years, along with confiscation of property.
The court has chosen a preventive measure in the form of round-the-clock house arrest for the suspect.
Pre-trial investigation is ongoing under the supervision of the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office.
