Former Village Head In Lebak Banten Becomes A Corruption Suspect Of COVID-19 Assistance Totalling Tens Of Million

LEBAK - The former head of Pasindangan Village, Cileles Sub-district, Lebak Regency, Banten Province has been named a suspect in a corruption case (tipikor) of COVID-19 direct cash assistance (BLT) of Rp92 million.

"We have named the suspect, the former village head with the initials AU (55), because he was proven to have embezzled COVID-19 BLT funds," said Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of the Lebak Police, Commissioner Adjutant of Police Indik Rusmono, quoted by Antara, Monday, November 29.

The disclosure of the alleged corruption case carried out by the village head began with community reports that the BLT disbursement did not reach the residents.

The police conducted an investigation based on the results of the community report. In addition, the police also collect evidence until the case goes to the investigation.

Commissioner Adjutant of Police Indik explained, Pasindangan Village, Cileles District, has a village budget for COVID-19 BLT for 12 months, and 12 stages that must be carried out with a total budget of Rp360 million.

The disbursement of the COVID-19 BLT funds is in stages of Rp30 million for 100 beneficiary families (KPM).

The first and second disbursements were distributed to 100 KPM, but in the third, fourth, and fifth stages, the COVID-19 BLT funds were not disbursed.

"Based on the suspect's confession, the three times cash disbursement of the COVID-19 BLT of Rp92 million was used for personal purposes, including for the campaign for the nomination of village heads and other activities," continued Commissioner Adjutant of Police Indik.

The suspect was charged with Article 2 paragraph 1 or Article 3 of the Corruption Eradication Law.

"The total state loss based on the Report of the Calculation of State Financial Losses in cases of misuse of the Village Fund Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) distribution for the 2021 Fiscal Year is Rp92 million," said Indik.