The former deputy governor of the Russian region became a defendant in two criminal cases

In Rostov-on-Don, a criminal case was opened for abuse of power against the former deputy governor and minister of transport Vladimir Okunev. Previously, he became involved in a case of money laundering. TASS reports this with reference to law enforcement agencies.

According to investigators, the official created conditions of imaginary competition in 53 competitive procedures for the implementation of road works. As a result, Okunev enriched himself by 1.9 billion rubles. The accused legalized almost 40 million rubles when purchasing trucks registered in his relatives’ names and leased to a state-owned company through an affiliated company Transnerud-Yug LLC.

The criminal prosecution began on December 25, 2025, but the charges were brought in absentia. He is wanted by Russia. According to security officials, the former deputy governor may be hiding in Armenia.

The court turned into state income the property of Okunev himself, as well as his former deputy Svetlana Shapovalova and their relatives in the amount of over 700 million rubles.