The State Bureau of Investigation reported suspicions against the former head of the forestry sector for illegal enrichment of over 38 million hryvnias

Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation detained the former deputy head of the Central Forestry Office of the state enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” and reported him about suspicion. In the course of the investigation, facts of illegal enrichment and undeclared property in the amount of more than 38 million hryvnias were revealed.

According to the conclusions of the NAKC, the official acquired property worth more than 13 million hryvnias for no reason. Among the revealed assets are luxury cars Porsche Cayenne 2019 and Mercedes-Benz 2024, cash in foreign currency for more than 2.5 million hryvnias, as well as expenses for 6 million without confirmed sources of income.

In addition, it was established that the suspect did not declare assets worth more than 25 million hryvnias, including apartments in Zhytomyr, Kyiv, and Odesa, bank accounts, financial transactions, and the income of his wife, for whom the property was registered after the fictitious divorce.

The suspect worked for a long time in management positions in the forest industry of Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia and Kyiv regions. In January 2025, he was transferred from the Central Office to the position of head of the Metropolitan Forest Office branch. It has been preliminarily established that his wealth is connected with the activities of three companies, the heads of which were persons close to him. With his help, these companies received contracts with state forestry companies to carry out works that were not actually carried out, but were paid for from the budget.

During searches of the home, workplace and bank cells, documents confirming financial fraud, as well as cash and other evidence were seized. After the searches, the official was dismissed from his post.

He was charged under Article 366-2, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — declaration of false information, as well as under Article 368-5 — illegal enrichment. Sanctions of these articles provide up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.

Currently, the issue of a preventive measure is being resolved. The investigation continues, all persons involved in embezzlement of budget funds and illegal operations with wood are being identified. Procedural management is carried out by the Prosecutor General’s Office.