Former Odessa Mayor Zheman may face charges despite the influence of his godfather, Verbytsky
The investigation into the case involving former Odessa Deputy Mayor Dmytro Zheman and the company "Akkerman-Service" is entering its final stage.
This was reported by Insider.
Law enforcement officials are wrapping up their investigation into schemes to embezzle public funds in Odesa, in which former Deputy Mayor Dmytro Zheman is allegedly involved. This information has emerged from criminal case files and reports by investigative journalists
The scheme operated from 2019 to 2023, when Zheman oversaw the municipal services sector. According to audit findings, the volume of services provided was systematically overstated: instead of 68 security guards, only 15 were working at the sites, and under the last contract, OMET paid 8.4 million UAH. In addition to the security scheme, investigators are examining corrupt tenders for the purchase of tram parts worth approximately 84 million hryvnias, in which Inessa Mandrus, a confidante of the former official, is implicated.
Previously, the investigation was stalled due to Zheman’s ties to former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi; however, following Verbytskyi’s dismissal and the launch of a Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) investigation into his illicit enrichment, the former Odessa deputy mayor lost his immunity. Law enforcement officials have already conducted a series of searches as part of cases involving document forgery and embezzlement. Currently, Dmytro Zheman heads the city branch of the “Batkivshchyna” party, attempting to maintain his political influence amid the preparation of charges.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Prosecutor General rejected a request from the UA.NEWS editorial team for copies of the findings of internal investigations regarding former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi.
We also recall that in September 2022, then-Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin appointed Dmytro Verbytskyi as his deputy, whose official mission was to combat economic crimes, tax evasion, and protect investments. Prior to this, Verbytsky had built his career in the Odesa and Mykolaiv prosecutor’s offices, where he developed ties with local businesses.
It soon became clear that Verbytsky had illegally acquired wealth. On May 13, 2024, NABU opened criminal case No. 52024000000000231 under the article on illegal enrichment (Article 368-5 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) following high-profile exposés by Radio Liberty and the Schemes program. However, the case remains at the pre-trial investigation stage without any preventive measures having been announced.
