$80,000 bribe for lesser charges: former prosecutor exposed (PHOTO)

NABU and SAPO have exposed a former prosecutor of the Slobozhanskyi District Prosecutor’s Office in the Dnipropetrovsk region for soliciting an $80,000 bribe.

According to the investigation, between January and April 2026, the suspect, while still serving as a prosecutor, repeatedly solicited a bribe from a defense attorney. In return, he promised to act—or refrain from acting—in the interests of the attorney’s client, a notary. The case involved the registration of land ownership rights based on allegedly forged documents.

Specifically, the prosecutor promised to charge the notary with a lesser offense, "overlook" multiple episodes of unlawful conduct, and facilitate a plea agreement with a minimum sentence.

In case of refusal, he threatened to bring charges on 15 criminal counts, plus an additional article. This would have threatened the woman with an actual prison term and a ban on practicing as a notary.

Initially, the bribe was set at $50,000, but the prosecutor later raised his demand to $80,000. The funds were to be transferred in installments through a pre-arranged currency exchange office.

The suspect's actions fall under Part 4 Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.