NABU and the SAPO have uncovered a large-scale money-laundering scheme involving ₴150 million intended to pay bail in the “Midas” case, with the involvement of top officials from the Presidential Office and “Sens Bank”

 This is stated in a video released by the “Forest Gump” special operation. 

According to the investigation, the deputy head of the Office of the President, a former member of parliament, and the chairpersons of the board of directors and supervisory board of the state-owned “SENS Bank” were involved in organizing the scheme.

The perpetrators, who gained control of the ATSBN in early June and also attempted to place “their own people” on the Public Oversight Council at the NABU and other law enforcement agencies, used accounts belonging to shell companies and money-laundering centers (“laundries”).

As noted, the money-laundering process began after a June 16 meeting between a representative of the former MP and the head of “SENS Bank”: 

• the first tranche of 50 million UAH was delivered to the former MP’s office (15 million was received by the representative, and 35 million was transferred to a “laundromat”); 
• the second tranche-an additional 10 million hryvnia-was delivered on the same day; 
• subsequently, the third tranche amounted to 70 million hryvnias (20 million to the representative, 50 million to the “laundromat”);
• the final tranche of 20 million hryvnias was processed using the same scheme.

The NABU noted that the entire process was monitored. The former MP reported to the deputy head of the Office of the President and an influential businessman who was an accomplice, while the chairman of the bank’s supervisory board informed an official from the Office of the President about the successful transfer of funds.

On Wednesday, August 19, NABU detectives and SAPO prosecutors notified all participants in the scheme of their status as suspects under Part 3 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The investigation into the case is ongoing. 

As a reminder, in April, the High Anti-Corruption Court extended the preventive measure against former Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko. He is suspected of involvement in the embezzlement of funds at Energoatom. On the night of February 15, the former official was detained while attempting to cross the border. Galushchenko was served with a notice of suspicion in the “Midas” case the following day.

On June 26, 105 million hryvnias of the 150 million hryvnias in bail set by the court were posted on his behalf.

And on June 29, the full bail amount was paid for Herman Galushchenko, with the final 45 million hryvnia paid by two private companies. The lion’s share of the funds was transferred by the firm “Girant Contract,” and the remainder was paid by a Kyiv-based company whose owner may be connected to the city’s construction sector.