NABU released a video about Galushchenko in the Midas case: he dreamed of becoming an ambassador
19 February 12:36
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) have released video footage regarding the role of a person involved in the Midas case, codenamed Sigismund. According to the investigation, this pseudonym refers to former Minister of Energy and Justice Herman Halushchenko, reports "Komersant Ukrainian".
The video contains fragments of the investigation, money flow diagrams, audio recordings of conversations, and details of the functioning of a suspected criminal organization that may have received millions in illegal profits in the energy sector.
The investigation claims that an offshore fund was created for money laundering
According to NABU, in February 2021, a special fund was registered on the island of Anguilla to attract about $100 million in “investments.”
The director of the fund was a citizen of the Seychelles who, according to the investigation, specialized in money laundering services.
The investors include individuals with the code names:
- “Carlson” (according to the investigation, Timur Mindich);
- “Sugarman” (according to the investigation, Alexander Zuckerman).
They invested tens of millions of US dollars in the fund.
Offshore companies and a trust were created to conceal the official’s involvement
The investigation established that three companies were created in the Marshall Islands to conceal the possible involvement of a high-ranking official. They were included in the structure of a trust registered in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The beneficiaries of these companies were the official’s ex-wife and children.
The trust opened accounts in three Swiss banks, where, according to NABU, the funds were kept.
NABU reports possible kickback scheme at Energoatom
According to the case materials, Energoatom had a kickback scheme in place amounting to 10-15% of the contract value. This amount was transferred by the company’s contractors to the minister’s confidant, Roket (Igor Myronyuk), or by couriers to the office of the criminal organization owned by Andriy Derkach’s family.
“NABU detectives obtained evidence that the Minister of Energy directly lobbied the Minister of Strategic Industries to ensure a moratorium on the payment of Energoatom’s debts under the concluded contracts. This made it possible to implement a barrier scheme, whereby payments from Energoatom to contractors were made only after kickbacks,” Abakumov said.
According to the investigation:
- the contractors transferred funds to trusted individuals;
- part of the funds were recorded in the so-called “black accounting”;
- the total amount of funds received exceeded $112 million.
According to him, part of the illegal benefits received by Tenor (Dmitry Basov) and Rocket were transferred to an official nicknamed Professor. Carlson, Shugarmann, and Ryoshik, who are suspected of money laundering, referred to the Minister of Energy as Sigismund.
According to the investigation, Carlson ensured that Sigismund retained his key role in the Cabinet.
Sigismund’s key role in the activities of the Ministry of Energy, Energoatom, NEURC, OGTS, and other business entities did not actually diminish after his appointment as Minister of Justice.
NABU detectives established that the funds that Roket transferred in cash to the office of the criminal organization were recorded in the black accounting ledger “Kompleks” — more than $112 million was transferred there.
The black ledger recorded the share of funds for Sigismund. Cryptocurrency was used for laundering, with the funds going to the fund or being issued in cash to Herman Galushchenko’s ex-wife.
Some of the funds could have been laundered through cryptocurrencies and cash
According to NABU, various mechanisms were used to legalize the funds, including:
- transfers through offshore funds;
- cryptocurrency transactions;
- cash withdrawals from banks in Switzerland;
- registering funds to related parties.
The investigation established that approximately $12 million could have been laundered between 2021 and 2025.
According to investigators, of this amount:
- $7.4 million was transferred to the accounts of offshore companies;
- almost $4 million was issued in cash.
The investigation believes that part of the funds was spent on paying for Galushchenko’s children’s education in Switzerland, part on services at Shugarenko’s medical clinic, and part on purchasing designer clothing in Kyiv.
NABU released audio recordings of conversations between the suspects
The video materials also contain audio fragments of the suspects’ conversations.
In one of the recordings, according to investigators, the suspect with the code name “Sigismund” mentions that he “dreams of becoming an ambassador somewhere.”
NABU notes that the investigation is ongoing and all circumstances are being established within the framework of criminal proceedings.
The Midas case is being investigated for possible corruption schemes in the energy sector
Investigators believe that the key objective of the alleged criminal organization was to obtain unlawful benefits by influencing state-owned energy companies, regulators, and financial flows.
The final legal assessment of the actions of those involved will be provided by the court.
