Skip to content
Edit post

NABU uncovers lawmaker's attempt to bribe official with cryptocurrency

by Elsa Court November 21, 2023 2:24 PM 1 min read
Anti-corruption law enforcement officers uncover a corruption case, where a lawmaker attempted to bribe a state official with cryptocurrency, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Nov. 21, 2023. (National Anti-Corruption Bureau / Telegram)
This audio is created with AI assistance

A lawmaker has been caught attempting to bribe a state official with bitcoins, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) reported on Telegram on Nov. 21.

The MP allegedly offered the head of the State Agency for Reconstruction and Infrastructure Development a bribe in bitcoin equivalent to $50,000.

In exchange for the cryptocurrency, the lawmaker wanted help obtaining state funds for repairing infrastructure he controls.  

He sent the first tranche of $10,000 to the official, who was working in cooperation with law enforcement to uncover the crime.  

The NABU did not name the MP, but said he was a member of the committee on anti-corruption policy.

Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne named the MP as Andriy Odarchenko, a lawmaker from President Volodymyr Zelensky's Servant of the People party, citing sources in law enforcement.

The State Agency for Reconstruction and Infrastructure Development said that there was "zero tolerance for corruption."

"Our cooperation with law enforcement and anti-corruption authorities was and will be systematic," the Agency said.

According to the NABU, this is the first time Ukraine's anti-corruption law enforcers have documented a bribe in cryptocurrency. The investigation is ongoing.

Ukraine issues arrest warrant for lawmaker alleged of corruption
Ukraine’s High Anti-Corruption Court issued an arrest warrant for lawmaker Yaroslav Dubnevych on charges that he embezzled Hr 93 million ($2.5 million), the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) reported on Nov. 2.

News Feed

8:43 PM

These Ukrainian women down Russian drones.

The Kyiv Independent joined one such unit that refers to themselves as the Witches of Bucha, after a suburb in Kyiv Oblast where they are based. Since all of them are volunteers, these women combine their combat duties with civilian lives.
5:28 PM

Ukrainian Defense Ministry's chief inspector fired.

The Main Inspectorate of the Defense Ministry audits the ministry's activities, including monitoring the quality of military training and staffing, overseeing military aviation safety, and conducting technical investigations, among other functions.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.