MOSCOW, May 28 (RAPSI) - Dmitry Lazarev, 40, the head of the Sochi Physical Fitness and Sports Department, was caught accepting a 1.1 million ruble ($35,145) bribe from the husband of a local businesswoman detained on suspicion of Olympic construction machinations, the Izvestia newspaper reported.

The investigators assume that the official demanded payment for his promise to help the woman escape punishment.

According to the newspaper, the woman, the director of a construction company, was detained when her company failed to fulfill an agreement signed with the city authorities in 2011 for the construction of sports facilities and playgrounds.

The company nevertheless received 14 million rubles ($447,285) from the city budget based on false documents. The investigators estimate that this is around 5 million rubles more than was due to the company.

A criminal case has been opened against Lazarev, who was detained when he accepted the bribe, under an article on large-scale fraud and abuse of office. If he is declared guilty, he may face up to 10 years in prison.