MOSCOW, February 1 (RAPSI) – Investigation into an abuse of office case against ex-mayor of Vladivostok Igor Pushkarev convicted of corruption has been completed, the Investigative Committee’s press service reports.

During the probe, the defendant pleaded guilty and compensated material damage to the Vladivostok City District.

According to the investigation, in 2009, Pushkarev ignoring anti-corruption legislative bans and restrictions transferred his share in a commercial firm’s authorized capital to his close relatives. Moreover, he also used his job position to restrict operation of several passenger shipping companies. As a result of his actions, two municipal transport enterprises received a renewed bus fleet and illegally took the passenger traffic market dominance.

In April 2019, Moscow’s Tverskoy District Court sentenced Pushkarev to 15 years in high security prison for commercial bribery, abuse of office and taking bribes on a large scale. Additionally, he was fined 500 million rubles ($8 million). The court also prohibited him from holding public posts for 10 years.

Moreover, the court collected 143 million rubles (over $2 million) in favor “Roads of Vladivostok” granting the company’s suit.

The court also sentenced Andrey Lushnikov, head of “Roads of Vladivostok”, to 10 years behind bars. Pushkarev’s brother Andrey Pushkarev, head of “Vostokcement” group, received an 8-year suspended term. They also were fined 500 million rubles each.

Prosecutors earlier asked the court to give Pushkarev 17 years in high security prison with a 500-million-ruble fine. The court was also asked to sentence Pushkerev’s brother and Lushnikov to 8 and 14 years respectively.