“Self-check” of declarations works only for 30%, while NACP checks 120%, – Andriy Mazalov
1 December 07:16
EXCLUSIVE
Officials and declarants can independently assess their risks before submitting a declaration, but only professional lawyers can carry out a full-fledged audit like the one conducted by the NACP. This was stated in an interview with the Kommersant Ukrainian YouTube channel by Andriy Mazalov, an anti-corruption law expert and attorney-at-law.
“You can check yourself – the effect will be 30%. You can check yourself with the help of a lawyer – this is 100%. You need to know that the NACP checks 120%,” he emphasized.
According to the lawyer, an independent check without professional tools and knowledge of the NACP’s algorithms often leaves out critical points.
At the same time, some lawyers and experts in anti-corruption legislation are actually imitating the full algorithm of the NACP’s verification: from analyzing registers to monitoring social networks.
“We do the same work as the NACP and investigative journalists. We check the client from all sides – registers, property, social networks, lifestyle, family,” the lawyer explained.
Professional verification takes three to four months, after which lawyers engage economic experts to make a final conclusion.
“We can explain all the assets, involve experts and tell a person honestly: either you have a criminal record and are at risk, or you are a decent person and can sleep peacefully,” he summarized.
As [Komersant] wrote, the abolition of the article on illicit enrichment has resulted in the closure of more than 65 proceedings, but this does not mean that the defendants in these proceedings cannot be brought to justice under other articles.
