All articles tagged with #oligarch
Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc, accused of €850 million bank fraud and other crimes, was detained in Greece after fleeing Moldova in 2019. He is on Interpol's wanted list and faces extradition proceedings, amid allegations of corruption, money laundering, and political interference. His arrest is significant ahead of Moldova's upcoming elections, with implications for regional political dynamics.
Former FBI counterintelligence official, Charles McGonigal, has been sentenced to over four years in prison for violating sanctions on Russia by working for a Russian oligarch, Oleg Deripaska, after leaving the government. McGonigal was found guilty of conspiring to launder money and violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. He accepted payments to collect derogatory information about a rival Russian oligarch and was also involved in negotiations to help Deripaska get off the sanctions list. McGonigal, who expressed remorse, faces additional sentencing in a separate case for concealing cash received from a former Albanian intelligence official.
German journalist Hubert Seipel, known for his coverage of Russian President Vladimir Putin, secretly agreed to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars from a shell company linked to Russian oligarch Alexey Mordashov to write a book about the Kremlin. Leaked financial records reveal that Seipel received approximately $700,000 as a "sponsorship" for his books, raising questions about his independence and potential conflicts of interest. The revelations highlight the extent of Russia's propaganda machine abroad and the complicity of operators in helping Russian elites hide assets from sanctions. Cyprus, a key financial hub for Putin's cronies, is implicated in the investigation. Seipel denies being a "Putin agent" and defends the legitimacy of his work, while his publisher and broadcaster express concern and state that they were unaware of the sponsorship agreement.
Secret corporate documents obtained by an international consortium of news organizations reveal that a Russian oligarch, Alexei Mordashov, secretly funded journalist Hubert Seipel's book about Russian President Vladimir Putin. The documents indicate that Mordashov's shell company promised to pay Seipel approximately $730,000 to support his work. This revelation sheds light on Russia's ongoing efforts to cultivate opinion-makers and shape narratives abroad. Seipel, who has been described as the only Western journalist with direct access to Putin, has defended his editorial independence and denied receiving money from third parties for his films or TV interviews. The leaked documents are part of an investigation into how the Russian elite hide their assets within the European Union.
Ukrainian oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky, once a powerful figure with significant influence on President Volodymyr Zelensky, is now facing multiple criminal investigations and the risk of losing his assets. Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities have opened several cases against Kolomoisky, including allegations of embezzlement and money laundering. He has been detained and faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted. Kolomoisky's legal troubles began in 2016 when officials discovered billions missing from PrivatBank, Ukraine's largest retail bank. Since then, his wealth has significantly decreased, and his businesses have come under pressure. The cases against Kolomoisky are part of Ukraine's anti-corruption campaign, signaling zero tolerance for graft.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has replaced his defense minister, Oleksii Reznikov, following corruption scandals at the ministry. Reznikov was involved in two scandals, one regarding overpriced eggs and another involving inflated prices for military coats. His poor handling of these scandals led to his departure. Zelensky's team hopes that the appointment of Rustem Umerov as the new defense minister, known for his loyalty and respect among anti-corruption activists, will help quell public anger over corruption. Additionally, Zelensky's move to detain oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky on suspicion of fraud and money-laundering is seen as a demonstration of his commitment to fighting corruption. However, there are concerns about the timing and motives behind the actions of Ukraine's domestic security service, the SBU, which is controlled by the president. The resolution of these corruption cases will impact Western funding for Ukraine.
Russia has filed a lawsuit against billionaire oligarch Andrey Melnichenko, alleging that he owes the country $1.2 billion in taxes. The lawsuit comes as part of Russia's ongoing crackdown on wealthy individuals who are suspected of evading taxes. Melnichenko, who made his fortune in the energy and banking sectors, has denied the allegations and plans to contest the lawsuit.
The US has approved the transfer of $125m in seized assets from a Ukrainian oligarch, Ihor Kolomoisky, to Ukraine. Kolomoisky was sanctioned by the US in 2018 for alleged corruption and embezzlement. The transfer of assets is seen as a sign of support for Ukraine's efforts to combat corruption and strengthen the rule of law.