Former Russian town mayor faces misappropriation charges

The ex-mayor of a town near Moscow is facing criminal charges over the misappropriation of some 19.4 million rubles ($671,400) from the local budget, prosecutors said on Tuesday.

MOSCOW, November 10 (RIA Novosti) - The ex-mayor of a town near Moscow is facing criminal charges over the misappropriation of some 19.4 million rubles ($671,400) from the local budget, prosecutors said on Tuesday.

Alexander Morozenko has been the mayor of the town of Korolyov, located northeast of the Russian capital, since 1996. In mid-October he was removed from the post over his refusal to report on investment contracts to the Audit Chamber.

His embezzlement of funds "caused a violation of the legitimate rights of people eligible for municipal housing" as part of a local development program, the Investigative Committee at the Russian Prosecutor General's Office said in a statement.

An investigation is underway. If found guilty, Morozenko could face up to five years behind bars.