Regional council deputy caught taking $10,000 bribe

The State Bureau of Investigation exposed and detained a deputy of the Zhytomyr Regional Council "red-handed" in Kyiv, who promised a man to "resolve the issue" regarding employment in a state institution for a competitive position.

The State Bureau of Investigation detained a sitting deputy of the Zhytomyr Regional Council in Kyiv while he was “red-handed.” The official was trying to get $10,000 from a man who was seeking a job in a state institution for a competitive position.

Law enforcement officers traditionally do not name the detainee, but according to media reports, the suspected deputy is Anatoliy Melashenko.

The SBI said that in March 2025, the defendant met with a potential "client" and offered assistance in finding employment.

The deputy claimed to have influential connections among high-ranking officials, law enforcement officers, and representatives of regulatory agencies. He asked for $10,000 to "resolve the issue."

On April 3, law enforcement officers detained the deputy while he was receiving the entire agreed amount. The court chose a preventive measure for the suspect in the form of night house arrest.

We also previously reported that in the Lviv region, one of the prosecutors was caught taking a bribe , demanding $5,000 for not bringing a criminal case to justice.

In addition, in the Ternopil region, a police officer is suspected of receiving $17,500 for documents that allow him to travel abroad during martial law.