NABU completed investigation as of the facts of receiving an improper advantage by Governor

The Detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) under the procedural guidance of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) completed a pre-trial investigation of the criminal proceeding as of the facts of receiving  an improper advantage by the Head of one of the Regional State Administrations (RSA) (equivalent to the Governor) and to the official of the RSA. On November 11, 2019, suspects and the defense had been granted with access to criminal proceeding for review. They actions are qualified under Part 4 Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The investigation revealed that in spring of 2020, the Governor decided to receive an improper advantage from the Head of the Main Department of one of the executive agencies in the Region. The Governor had no plan to do it personally. He involved an intermediary - the Head of one of the Departments of the RSA to execute the plan.

According to the instructions of the Governor, the intermediary demanded UAH 110 thousand of improper advantage from Head of the Main Department of one of the executive agency in the region every month. In case of non-payment of funds, he threatened the official that he would interfere with his work, and would be fired for incompatibility.

Later, the suspects increased their demands up to 15% of the official turnover of state enterprises subordinated to the Main Department of one of the executive agency in the region on a monthly basis. The indicators of previous periods were about UAH 1.8 million.

According to the plan, the funds must be transferred in tranches The first part - UAH 100 thousand - was transferred in early June, which was documented as part of the pre-trial investigation. The NABU Detectives under the procedural guidance of SAPO jointly with the officers of the Security Service of Ukraine exposed the suspects on receiving second part of the bribe in the amount of UAH 250 thousand.

During investigative actions, large volumes of cash, the origin of which is still unknown, were seized at the place of work and residence of the suspects (more than UAH 4.5 million, USD 320 thousand, EUR 24 thousand). The issue of seizing these funds is being resolved. 

The NABU Detectives started a pre-trial investigation as of the abovementioned facts in May 2020.

According to Part 1 Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine a person is considered not-guilty in commission of a crime and cannot be a subject to criminal punishment, until he or she is found guilty by the court.