Ex-MP suspected of taking housing compensation illegally

On Oct. 24, 2022, NABU and SAPO notified a former MP of suspicion of illegal receipt of UAH 117.65 thousand as housing compensation. His actions fall under Part 1 Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

As established, the former lawmaker, who currently holds one of the leading positions in the Accounting Chamber, applied in September 2017 for a monthly compensation for housing expenses. However, at that moment, the MP already owned an apartment in a new building in downtown Kyiv, which was suitable for living. The fact did not stop him from illegally receiving UAH 117.65 thousand from the budget during six and a half months.

NABU so far has caught eight lawmakers on the illegal receipt of more than UAH 4.4 million in housing compensation. Seven cases have been referred to the HAAC, with six of them having been considered. One guilty verdict, against former MP Ruslan Solvar, has entered into force, sentencing him to 3 years in prison. Two other lawmakers - Oleksandr Chernenko and Oleksandr Presman - agreed to a plea deal and received three years in prison with a probationary period. They also voluntarily reimbursed UAH 580,000 and UAH 929,000, respectively. Overall, the exposed MPs have returned more than UAH 4.22 million to the budget.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered non-guilty in the commission of a crime and cannot be subject to criminal punishment until he or she is found guilty by court.