Illicit gambling leading to a $1 million scandal: Deputy Prosecutor General Verbicky shares his thoughts.
Civil Servant On the Hotseat: Exposing the Alleged Campaign to Discredit
In an explosive interview with "Ukrainian News," a civil servant, Verbytskyi, has spoken out against a smear campaign aimed at discrediting him and other prosecutors involved in high-profile criminal cases. This intriguing narrative ties into cases addressing the murky waters of illegal gambling businesses.
Apparently, the state raked in a mere 49 million UAH in taxes from gambling in 2021 and 582 million UAH in 2022. However, Verbytskyi points out that after investigating criminal cases related to these activities, an extraordinary 10 billion UAH was paid into the state coffers last year. So far this year, a staggering 7.2 billion UAH has been collected. These substantial sums, once pocketed by illicit entities, are now being funneled to the government. Hence, those who have lost their billion-dollar illegal incomes and find themselves suspects in criminal cases are reportedly eager to see these cases crumble. As a result, Verbytskyi faces pressure, along with other prosecutors and witnesses.
Verbytskyi shed light on one of the cases involving a private bank currently undergoing liquidation proceedings. The bank's license has been revoked, and several suspects have been identified, with some now wanted internationally. The State Fiscal Service has uncovered violations totaling an astounding 7 billion UAH in this bank alone.
The criminal scheme, as Verbytskyi explained, involved advertising for a licensed platform for betting and lottery games in virtually every shopping center and public place. However, the money didn't end up in the advertised destinations; instead, it landed in the organizers' pockets. The investigation is still ongoing, with the suspects at large. Preliminary evidence suggests that the final beneficiary of the scheme is a well-known businessman.
Verbytskyi also addressed rumors surrounding his girlfriend, Christina Ilynichka, and her acquisition of a lavish estate and a Porsche. Reports from the "Schemes" project claimed that Ilynichka bought a home worth $1.2 million and a luxury car, but the contract price for the property was 24 times lower than the market value. A previous investigation by "Schemes" alleged that Verbytskyi himself lives in a house bought for 2 million UAH - six times less than the market value.
As the investigation unfolds and the dust settles, Verbytskyi's case offers an intriguing look into the delicate balance between corruption and justice in a world where keeping tabs on illicit activities and the powerful figures involved is an endless challenge.
Insights:
- Corruption cases often involve unexplained wealth, as evidenced by Christina Ilynichka's acquisition of luxury properties and vehicles at allegedly discounted prices.
- Investigators may examine financial records for signs of money laundering or illicit transactions, as suggested by Verbytskyi's statements on the illegal gambling operation.
- In such cases, powerful individuals and their political ties can come under scrutiny, as the final beneficiary of the gambling scheme appears to be a well-known businessman.
- Prosecutors, such as Verbytskyi, are under pressure as they investigate high-profile cases involving the gaming industry, where illegally earned incomes totaling billions of UAH are now being funneled to the government.
- In the banking-and-insurance sector, a private bank currently undergoing liquidation proceedings has seen violations totaling 7 billion UAH uncovered by the State Fiscal Service.
- General news outlets reported on Verbytskyi's girlfriend, Christina Ilynichka, allegedly acquiring luxury properties and vehicles at substantially lower prices than market value.
- Investigators, particularly those focusing on crime-and-justice matters, will likely scrutinize the financial records of those involved in cases like Verbytskyi's to find signs of money laundering or illicit transactions.
- In the industry of finance, earnings such as Verbytskyi's girlfriend's alleged discounted purchases and Verbytskyi's reportedly undervalued property raise questions about unexplained wealth, a common aspect of corruption cases.
