Scandal involving former Lesa Ukrainy official Vitaliy Sukhovich

116 million hryvnia traced through fictitious debt
Former high-profile official Vitaliy Sukhovich attempted to launder 116 million hryvnia by stating in his 2023 asset declaration that he had allegedly borrowed $1.5 million and €1.4 million from entrepreneur Ihor Mashtaler. However, according to a review by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP), the fact of this loan was not substantiated.

Criminal scheme and criminal record
In 2024, Sukhovich was convicted of illicit enrichment, with the confiscation of assets worth 98 million hryvnia. Despite the conviction, the former official managed to evade criminal liability and, resorting to a fabricated debt scheme, attempted to legitimise funds obtained through criminal means.