Investigation as of USD 20 million embezzlement of "State Savings Bank of Ukraine" completed

The Detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) under the procedural guidance of the Prosecutors of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office have completed investigation as of 13 persons suspected in USD 20 million embezzlement of the Public Joint-Stock Company (PJSC) "State Savings Bank of Ukraine" (100% state-owned). On December 13, 2019, the suspects have been granted with access to the materials of the investigation. After that, an indictment will be sent to the High Anti-Corruption Court.

Among suspects there are:

- ex-Member of Parliament of Ukraine (ex-beneficial owner of the group of companies "Kreatyv");

- ex-Director of the Corporate Business Department of the State Bank (currently – the Deputy Chairman of the Board Management of the PJSC "State Savings Bank of Ukraine");

- ex-Director of the Finance Management Department of the "State Savings Bank of Ukraine" (retired in 2015);

- ex-Head of the Unit of the Finance Management Department of the "State Savings Bank of Ukraine" (currently - the Head of the abovementioned Department of the State Bank).

Other suspects are former beneficiaries of the group of companies "Kreatyv", a number of ex-officials and ex-employees of the companies (under the management of "Kreatyv") and the appraiser.

The actions of all suspects are qualified under Part 5 Article 191, Part 3 Article 209, Part 2 Article 364, Part 1 Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The ex-Member of Parliament of Ukraine is suspected in organizing of crimes under Part 5 Article 191, Part 3 Article 209, Part 1 Article 366.

The investigation revealed that in 2013 - 2015 the officials of the companies (under the management of "Kreatyv") upon the prior conspiracy with the officials of the "State Savings Bank of Ukraine" forged documents to receive USD 20 million loan in the State Bank for allegedly purchase of sunflower seeds. After receiving the funds, owners of the "Kreatyv" transferred money to the accounts of companies registered in Belize and Switzerland. Then they used these funds to pay for the purchase of the corporate rights of companies that owned valuable real estate.

NABU Detectives found out that when making the decision on granting the loan, the officials of the "State Savings Bank of Ukraine" relied on unverified, and in some cases, forged documents, some of which were made with their participation.

Because of the corruption scheme, USD 20 million were withdrawal from the "State Savings Bank of Ukraine" (at the time of the offense, it was equal to UAH 160 million). That led to a reduction of assets of the PJSC UAH State Savings Bank of Ukraine UAH (losses) for UAH 133 million due to expenses on forming the reserve for this loan.

In Autumn 2018, NABU and SAPO gave notices of suspicion to more than 10 persons and prepared a notice of suspicion to the abovementioned Member of Parliament. However, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (8th convocation) did not support the submission of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine for bringing the MP to criminal liability.

In July 2019, for unknown reasons and in violation of Part 5 Article 36 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, the Prosecutor General determined the jurisdiction in criminal proceeding by investigators of the Main Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine. On August 28, 2019, the Prosecutor General revised this decision, determining the jurisdiction in the case for the NABU Detectives again.

Two months later, NABU and SAPO gave a notice of suspicion a crime to ex-Member of Parliament of Ukraine.

NABU Detectives started a pre-trial investigation as of the mentioned facts in May 2016.

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