Close the Tesla case: NABU exposed a prosecutors' scheme
Those who were supposed to oversee the law became themselves implicated in a bribery case
Former officials of the prosecutor’s offices of Kirovohrad Oblast are suspected of extorting an improper benefit for closing a criminal proceeding and attempting to legalize the acquired vehicle. Part of the alleged bribe was a luxury Tesla Model X P100D, and the total amount of the agreements exceeded $88,000. The exposure of the scheme was reported on June 22, 2026 by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the investigation’s version, the then first deputy head of the Kirovohrad regional prosecutor’s office demanded money from the deputy director of one of the enterprises of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine and the head of a state enterprise. In exchange for the illicit benefit, the official allegedly promised to ensure the closure of the criminal proceeding.
The NABU official statement mentions the luxury vehicle and $44,500 in cash. At the same time, the total size of the illicit benefit demanded for resolving the matter amounted to more than $88,000. Part of the arrangement was the Tesla Model X P100D. To conceal the vehicle’s origin, the prosecutor, the investigation alleges, involved the head of one of the district prosecutor’s offices.
That person allegedly found a front person in whose name a power of attorney was issued with the right to dispose of the vehicle, including to sell it. However, the plan could not be implemented: the High Anti-Corruption Court seized the Tesla as part of another criminal proceeding.
Later, through the trusted person, the prosecutor received another $13,500. The rest of the agreed sum was refused because the promised closure of the case did not occur. The former first deputy head of the Kirovohrad regional prosecutor’s office was detained in accordance with Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
He was notified of suspicion under Part 4 of Article 368 and Part 2 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The charges concern receiving an illicit benefit in an especially large amount and legalization of property obtained by criminal means. The former head of the district prosecutor’s office is accused of aiding and abetting the receipt of an illicit benefit and the legalization of property. A suspicion was also notified to the front person whom the investigation considers an accomplice. NABU noted that uncovering the alleged scheme was made possible by the use of the institute of plea agreements.
At present, this is only the investigation’s version. The guilt of the suspects must be proven in court and established by a conviction.
Earlier we wrote:
- “There used to be a lot of money”: Kim compared corruption in government then and now
- “Gigs” for $13,000: ex-head of the Ministry of Culture charged in a scheme to arrange men’s departures
- 10% for each repair: Mykolaiv police detained two officials from Kherson on a kickback
- “Package of services” for $29,000: TCC, search, and Group II disability in one corruption story
- Police leadership under attack: in a bribery case assets worth 22.6 million UAH were seized`
