“Tax blackmail” for $100 thousand: a lawyer from Kolomoisky’s entourage exposed in Kyiv
30 December 18:44
The Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police have announced the exposure of a lawyer in Kyiv who, according to the investigation, extorted money from businessmen under the guise of alleged ties with regulatory authorities, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
The suspect’s name has not been officially disclosed, but Babel ‘s sources in law enforcement agencies claim that it is Serhiy Stetsiuk, a lawyer and assistant to businessman Ihor Kolomoisky.
What is the lawyer suspected of?
According to the SBU, the defendant extorted $100 thousand from the management of a Kyiv company. In exchange, he promised to “solve” problems with the tax authorities, which, according to him, were allegedly found in the company’s accounting.
The investigation claims that the lawyer convinced the businessmen that he had insider information from the controlling authorities. In case of refusal to pay, he threatened to impose sanctions – up to fines of almost UAH 1 billion, which the company allegedly had to pay to the budget.
How the money was transferred
When the entrepreneurs agreed to hand over the cash, the lawyer, according to law enforcement, engaged his friend as an intermediary. It was during the implementation of this scheme that the defendants were exposed.
Both were served with a notice of suspicion of fraud on a large scale and complicity in the crime.
What kind of liability is threatened
The criminal proceedings were opened under Art:
- ч. 5 Art. 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (fraud on a large scale),
- ч. 5 of Article 27 of the CCU (aiding and abetting).
The sanction of the articles provides for 5 to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
Relationship with Kolomoisky
According to media reports, Sergiy Stetsiuk represents Ihor Kolomoisky in a case of premeditated murder. The businessman himself is currently in a pre-trial detention center.
Law enforcement agencies have not yet said whether they are considering the possible impact of this case on other criminal proceedings involving Kolomoisky or his associates.
The investigation is ongoing. Law enforcers are checking the possible involvement of the suspects in other episodes of extortion from businesses, as well as the origin of the alleged “connections” in regulatory authorities.
