Odesa city councillor Alexander Matveev suspected of illegal enrichment

Alexander Matveev, a member of the Odesa City Council, has found himself at the centre of a scandal following revelations about his possible illegal enrichment. Based on information provided by the detective bureau Absolution, the prosecution has charged Matveev with misappropriation of property belonging to the Odesa community.

Millions in assets: from real estate to luxury cars

The investigation conducted by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) revealed unjustified assets belonging to the councillor and his relatives, totalling more than 81.7 million hryvnia. These include:

• Non-residential premises in Odesa valued at 14.9 million hryvnia and 1.5 million hryvnia.

• An apartment in Odesa worth 7.2 million hryvnia.

• A 100% share in the charter capital of a private enterprise, valued at nearly 12 million hryvnia.

• A Mercedes-Benz S400 CDI (2021) worth 5.4 million hryvnia.

• A house and a plot of land in Spain, valued at 40.7 million hryvnia.

Scheme involving an NGO and shady deals

Matveev, who served on the permanent committee for communal property, had access to information regarding the privatisation of municipal assets. Through an NGO under his control, which focused on the protection of people with disabilities, the councillor acquired non-residential premises in Odesa. The public organisation received payment for this property from Matveev’s trusted representative in the form of an interest-free loan.

Councillor’s daughter also at the centre of investigation

Furthermore, investigators established that the councillor’s daughter had acquired expensive real estate, movable property, and corporate rights, despite having no official income.

No explanations: where did the money come from?

The NACP concluded that the councillor and his family did not have the financial means to acquire such assets based on lawful income. The case materials were transferred to the Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office for further investigation and to bring criminal charges against the councillor.

At present, the councillor, who is suspected of committing a crime, resides in his estate in Spain.