Operation Midas: Members of Energoatom embezzlement scheme transferred money to ex-deputy prime minister

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), as part of Operation Midas, documented how members of a criminal organization transferred money to a former deputy prime minister of Ukraine, who was referred to internally as "Che Guevara."

SAPO reported this on Facebook, according to Ukrinform.

In total, the payments amounted to $1.2 million and nearly EUR 100,000 in cash. The money was handed over either directly in an office or in a medical clinic owned by a member of the criminal group.

The final sum – $500,000 – was transferred to "Che Guevara's" wife after he himself became a suspect in corruption-related crimes investigated by NABU and SAPO.

On November 10, Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) announced a special operation to uncover corruption in the energy sector. Investigators found that members of a criminal organization had built an extensive scheme to exert influence over strategic state-owned enterprises, including Energoatom.

A source familiar with the investigation said that NABU officers had conducted searches at the premises of businessman and co-owner of the Kvartal 95 studio Tymur Mindich, as well as at the residence of Justice Minister German Galushchenko, who previously served as energy minister.

The Justice Ministry later confirmed that investigative actions involving Galushchenko had been carried out within the ongoing criminal proceedings.

During Operation Midas, anti-corruption authorities identified the leader of the criminal organization, codenamed "Carlson."

NABU stated that five of the seven suspects had been detained. Among those implicated are a businessman believed to be the organization's leader, a former adviser to the energy minister, and Energoatom's executive director in charge of physical protection and security.