MOSCOW, September 14 (RIA Novosti) - Russian prosecutors have opened a probe into the suspected embezzlement of millions of dollars during the reconstruction of Moscow's famed Bolshoi Theater.
The Investigation Committee of the Russian Prosecutor General's Office said on Monday that Kurortproyekt, contracted to draw up plans for the reconstruction, had been paid three times for the same work, receiving a total of 500 million rubles (over $16 million).
The federal Audit Chamber said the contractor had been paid a total of 1.6 billion rubles ($51.9 million) under additional agreements during reconstruction efforts, which were launched in 2005 and initially due to finish in 2008.
Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov, who has repeatedly expressed alarm over reconstruction schedule delays, said on Monday that there was cause for serious concern over misspending in the project.
The theater, built in 1825, will now not reopen at least until 2011.
Kurortproyekt refused to comment on the accusations, saying questions should be addressed to the customer, the state Directorate for Construction, Reconstruction and Renovation.
"We have been doing what we were ordered to do. We will make no statements. Approach the Directorate with questions," a spokesperson said.
The Bolshoi said it was up to the Culture Ministry, whose now dissolved agency had been the first customer in the project, to look into the accusations.
"The Bolshoi's main task is to preserve the company and the best performances by the country's leading theater," theater spokeswoman Yekaterina Novikova said.
Commenting on the Audit Chamber's misspending claims in August, Directorate chief Yakov Sarkisov cited a need for additional studies, new underground communications, more complex foundation reinforcement work, and new construction standards as being behind the rising expenses.
Bolshoi ballet and opera productions continue at a recently built theater nearby.
