NABU Reports Ministers Involved in $100 Million Energy Scheme
During the investigation into an energy embezzlement scheme, through which, according to investigators, $100 million was "laundered", officers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) recorded four ministers of the Ukrainian government from different periods.
This was stated on the air of the "UP.Chat" program by the head of the NABU detective group, Oleksandr Abakumov, who participated in this investigation.
I won't say much, but I will say this: in various situations during the investigation of this criminal case, we recorded four ministers of the Cabinet of Ministers
At the same time, he noted that these people were in the government "at different periods," meaning that among these four ministers there are both current and former ministers.
I can't name the ministries because it could harm us in the future... We are evaluating the evidence collected to make decisions.
In addition, the anti-corruption officer noted that this scheme was led by two people involved in the investigation.
They are rated by us as leaders, based on the evidence gathered.
As a reminder, on November 10, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) announced the launch of a large-scale operation "Midas" to expose corruption in the energy sector, which included more than 70 searches.
According to the investigation, the organizers of the scheme received up to 15% of the value of the state-owned Energoatom contracts in the form of illegal benefits. The company's counterparties paid for the kickbacks imposed on them by the participants in the scheme.
The agency has released recordings of conversations between those involved, using code names, and claims that the scheme included: "Rocket," who was an advisor to former Energy Minister and current Justice Minister Herman Galushchenko; "Tenor," who was the executive director for physical protection and security at Energoatom; a well-known businessman, and four other people. In total, they managed to "launder" $100 million.
Energoatom stated that they are fully cooperating with investigative authorities, facilitating a transparent investigation, and providing all materials requested by law enforcement officers.
Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk said that neither she nor the previous head of the agency, German Galushchenko, had an advisor named Ihor Myronyuk, who appears in the investigation under the pseudonym "Rocket". She also noted that Energoatom is not under the direct control of the Ministry of Energy, but assured that the agency "will react in accordance with the results of the investigation."
The President's Office commented on the investigation by anti-corruption authorities into the energy embezzlement scheme and stated that "punishment must be inevitable" for all those involved.
President Volodymyr Zelensky himself stated that "effective actions" are needed and that all those involved in schemes in the energy industry must be punished.
On the morning of November 10, "UP" reported, citing sources, that NABU officers conducted searches at the home of businessman and co-owner of the "Kvartal 95" company, Timur Mindich. According to the publication, he himself left Ukraine a few hours before. The State Border Guard Service stated that they did not have access to information about the businessman's departure.
