PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, Russia -- The postal service chief in the Russian Far East region of Kamchatka has been charged with large-scale fraud, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
Police said an investigation showed that Vladimir Chechikov embezzled 1.2 million rubles ($38,570) from the regional postal service by paying wages to "dead souls" or former employees.
Money was paid to accounts in the employees' names where it was withdrawn by unidentified individuals.
Chechikov was released on bail shortly after the charges were announced on condition that he not leave Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and regularly report to investigators.
Bail was granted on the grounds that Chechikov has two small children and has cooperated in the investigation.
Read more in Russian here
Police said an investigation showed that Vladimir Chechikov embezzled 1.2 million rubles ($38,570) from the regional postal service by paying wages to "dead souls" or former employees.
Money was paid to accounts in the employees' names where it was withdrawn by unidentified individuals.
Chechikov was released on bail shortly after the charges were announced on condition that he not leave Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and regularly report to investigators.
Bail was granted on the grounds that Chechikov has two small children and has cooperated in the investigation.
Read more in Russian here