The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine has announced that it has uncovered a group of individuals who, according to the investigation, organised the laundering of 150 million hryvnias in cash, obtained by criminal means. The funds were channelled into the legitimate financial system via a series of accounts held by shell companies, after which they were used to post bail for one of the individuals implicated in the «Midas» case. The new NABU investigation has been named «Forrest Gump». According to media reports and materials released by the investigation, this concerns bail for the former Minister of Energy and Justice Herman Galushchenko. However, the name of the person for whom the funds were paid was not mentioned in the NABU’s initial report.
Briefly about the main points
- The NABU announced that it had uncovered a money-laundering scheme involving 150 million hryvnias as part of Operation «Forest Gump».
- According to media reports, this relates to bail for former minister Herman Halushchenko.
- Investigators are examining banking transactions linked to Sense Bank.
- During searches, the NABU and the SAP uncovered a crisis communication plan relating to the activities of the Verkhovna Rada’s Temporary Investigation Commission.
- Vadym Stolar confirmed that a search had taken place and stated that he was cooperating with the police.
«Forrest Gump»: NABU uncovers money-laundering scheme involving 150 million hryvnias
On 19 August, NABU published the first details a new large-scale operation, «Forest Gump». According to the Bureau, the investigation has identified a group of individuals who organised and facilitated the laundering of funds obtained through criminal means.
We are talking about 150 million hryvnias in cash. According to the investigation, the money was channelled into the legitimate financial system via a series of accounts held by shell companies, with a view to subsequently using it to post bail for one of the defendants in the «Midas».
According to the NABU, the group included the deputy head of the President’s Office, a former Member of Parliament, the chair of the board of a state-owned bank, the chair of the supervisory board of a state-owned bank and other individuals.
At the same time, the mere fact that specific officials are mentioned in the investigation reports does not imply that they have been found guilty. Only a court can make a final assessment of the evidence.
The bail is linked to Herman Halushchenko
Although in its first official statement the NABU did not name the individual involved in the 150 million hryvnia payment, the Ukrainian media have linked this incident to the former Minister of Energy by Herman Galushchenko.
According to reports, the High Anti-Corruption Court initially set bail for Galushchenko at 200 million hryvnias, but this was later reduced to 150 million UAH.
The very origin of these funds and the mechanism by which they were channelled into the legitimate financial system have now become one of the focuses of a new investigation by the anti-corruption authorities.
The investigation is establishing where the cash came from, which companies and bank accounts it passed through, and who coordinated the transactions.
Transactions via Sense Bank are involved in the case
A separate strand of the investigation concerns banking transactions linked to the state Sense Bank.
According to members of parliament, searches were carried out at the bank on 19 August in connection with the circumstances surrounding the payment of bail for Galushchenko.
In particular, the investigation is examining the mechanism by which large sums are channelled through corporate accounts and whether such transactions are subject to financial monitoring procedures.
The NABU has also released excerpts from recordings of conversations between alleged individuals involved in the investigation. These mention Sense Bank and discuss significant financial flows.
The publicly released excerpts also feature names and references which the media link to well-known politicians and businesspeople. However, without official confirmation from NABU, it would be incorrect to identify the voices or the people mentioned by the interlocutors as specific individuals.
During the searches, an anti-crisis communications plan relating to the TSK was found
The NABU and the SAP have revealed a further detail of Operation «Forrest Gump» following the searches.
Law enforcement officials have reported that a document has been uncovered setting out a crisis communication plan regarding the activities of the Verkhovna Rada’s Temporary Investigation Commission.
According to the anti-corruption authorities, the document set out communication strategies and messages designed to address the public outcry surrounding the work of the Temporary Investigation Commission.
The mere fact that such a document has been discovered does not establish that the commission’s activities were unlawful or that its members were involved in any possible offences. At the same time, the discovery formed part of the evidence obtained by law enforcement agencies during investigative operations carried out as part of Operation «Forest Gump».
The exact significance of the document for the criminal proceedings, and who authored or commissioned it, has not yet been publicly clarified.
The carpenter confirmed the searches
The documents relating to the operation also mention a Member of Parliament Vadym Stolar.
According to *Ukrainska Pravda*, he was outside Ukraine at the time the investigative measures were carried out. Stolyar himself confirmed that a search had been carried out at his home and stated that he was cooperating with the law enforcement authorities.
At the same time, the fact that a search has been carried out does not in itself mean that a person has been notified of suspicion or that their involvement in a crime has been proven.
The full legal status of all the individuals whose surnames appear in reports relating to Operation «Forrest Gump» has not yet been made public.
NABU promises to reveal further details of Operation «Forrest Gump»
The NABU initially announced the operation by releasing short excerpts from recordings of conversations involving the alleged suspects, promising to disclose further details at a later date.
As of 19 August, the investigation is ongoing, so information regarding the number of individuals involved, their legal status and specific details of the case may be updated.
The main line of inquiry at present is that 150 million hryvnia of criminal proceeds were laundered through a series of accounts held by shell companies, after which the funds were used to post bail for one of the defendants in the «Midas» case».
Separately, detectives are investigating the roles of those involved in the scheme, banking transactions and materials seized during the searches, including a document setting out a crisis communications plan relating to the activities of the parliamentary temporary investigative commission.
