Two company directors have been arrested following an investigation into public procurement fraud involving municipal kindergarten food supplies, according to a statement released by the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG).
Fraudulent Municipal Supply Contracts
The anti-corruption investigation revealed that the heads of two private firms, B.G.M.1 and Georgian Meat Products Farm, had secured official tenders to supply beef to preschool facilities in the Kareli and Marneuli municipalities. Kareli is located in Shida Kartli, while Marneuli is situated in Kvemo Kartli.
Investigators found that during May, the contractors fraudulently substituted beef with horse meat in deliveries sent to municipal kindergartens. Through this scheme, the companies unlawfully obtained significant state budget funds earmarked for child nutrition programs.
Charges and Potential Prison Sentences
Both individuals face formal criminal charges under Article 180 (large-scale fraud) and Article 197 (product falsification) of the Criminal Code of Georgia.
If convicted, the suspects face prison terms ranging from 6 to 9 years. State security officials noted that food safety monitoring in public educational institutions remains subject to ongoing inspection and enforcement.
