Over 30 million in undeclared assets and false statements in his financial disclosure form: The National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NAZK) has released the results of its investigation into former Deputy Prosecutor General Verbytskyi
The National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NAZK) responded to a journalist’s inquiry regarding the results of an asset verification of former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi. The agency’s official documents completely refute the former official’s public statements about the alleged “transparency” of his assets and the existence of any “international audits.”
The hard facts of the audit of Dmytro Verbytskyi: discrepancies amounting to millions
According to the agency’s response, anti-corruption officials completed a full audit of the former top prosecutor’s amended annual declaration for 2023 and compiled an official report. The results of this audit turned out to be diametrically opposed to the public statements the former official had made to the press.
The documents document two key violations:
- False information in the declaration: The NACP officially determined that the former official’s declaration contained inaccurate information. The discrepancy between the actual facts and what was written on paper amounts to 2,379,310 hryvnias. This is punishable under the provision regarding the declaration of false information (Part 1 of Article 366-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
- Illegal Enrichment: Another finding turned out to be far more serious. The anti-corruption agency uncovered clear signs of illegal enrichment (Article 368-5 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The amount in question is colossal—30,266,502 hryvnias—the origin of which cannot be explained by the official’s and his family’s declared income.
Where Did the Evidence Go, and What About the Confidentiality of the Investigation?
Anti-corruption investigators officially forwarded all the evidence gathered, substantiated conclusions, and materials from the full audit of Verbytskyi to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU). Detectives from the Bureau have incorporated these documents into the case file of the relevant criminal proceeding, and they are currently part of the investigation.
Since the case has entered the criminal phase, most of the journalists’ detailed questions—particularly regarding the luxury apartment in Turkey and the sources of funds used to purchase it—are currently barred by the secrecy of the investigation. The agency explained that disclosing details of a pre-trial investigation without the written permission of a detective or prosecutor is prohibited by law, and as of now, they do not have such permission.
The Story of a Subordinate’s “Revenge” and the Register of Corrupt Officials
In their inquiry, the journalists specifically asked for clarification regarding an agency employee whom Verbytsky had publicly accused of “personal revenge” and alluded to his history of corruption.
The agency’s response was terse but telling: the employee in question was indeed listed in the Unified State Register of Corrupt Officials, but had been officially removed from it back in November 2022 in accordance with applicable regulations. Thus, the former Deputy Prosecutor General’s attempts to dismiss the negative findings of the audit as a “set-up” by a discredited inspector lack any legal basis—the audit was conducted by a functioning and legitimate internal control unit.
In Conclusion
An official document from the anti-corruption agency puts an end to the media attempts by former prosecutor Dmytro Verbytskyi to “whitewash” his own reputation with stories about his father, a captain, and 15 mysterious international audits that he allegedly provided to someone. Instead of these fabricated audits, the actual case involves official findings regarding 30 million hryvnias obtained illegally, which NABU detectives are now investigating. Despite the fact that Verbytskyi is already building a political career within the ranks of a well-known political party, the legal baggage from his “prosecutorial past” is becoming increasingly burdensome.
A dissertation against corruption and a lease from a friend: the controversial Dmytro Verbytskyi explains how he’s evading mobilization and court proceedings
Instead of facing trial, the controversial former official is now calmly sipping coffee and building a political career, complaining to investigative journalists’ cameras: “I don’t live a lavish life, but I don’t live poorly either.” What’s more, it turns out that his luxurious home in the capital is simply an act of incredible friendly generosity. Commenting on the pittance he pays to rent a house in an elite cottage community, Verbytskyy looks journalists straight in the eye and assures them: “I’m renting it from a friend. Well, this isn’t a perk; these are average market rates for renting houses, uh, in this region. And this has been verified, uh, by NAZK officials.”
While the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NAZK) seem to be trying to find their way to court for the third year in a row, the former law enforcement official has found a foolproof way to dodge mobilization—he’s become a graduate student and is working on his dissertation. The topic of this academic work by a man with millions in unexplained assets is simply mockingly perfect: “anti-corruption legislation.” Asserting that “I’ve been studying my whole life,” the former prosecutor—who is practically a professor already—has already outlined his plans for the future: “I want to continue working at a university and pass on my knowledge.” And there’s certainly plenty to pass on—for example, a unique scheme for officially earning about $2,000 at the prosecutor’s office while receiving “birthday gifts” from relatives.
“Well, they helped out—they gave me gifts for my birthday, and that was my savings… Well, my mother could have given me $5,000,” the future luminary of science declares without a hint of embarrassment.
When the conversation turns to the origin of his family’s wealth, the classic, rock-solid legend of Ukrainian bureaucracy about wealthy relatives comes into play.
“My father was a captain on a long-haul ship. I think you understand how much a long-haul ship captain earns. Well, starting at $10,000 a month,” Verbytsky boasts. But for some reason, he refused to brag about his new Audi SQ8 worth 100 thousand greenbacks on camera, instantly switching to a tone of aggressive defense:
“Look, this car is registered in my name. You can look it up online. If you want, I’ll come to your studio, I’ll give you an interview, I’ll show you the documents. Show me the questions you want to ask. I’ll answer them. I’ll show you the documents. Conduct the interview objectively. I don’t like provocations like the one you’re pulling right now.” Verbytskyi now plans to scale up all this “anti-corruption” success in the world of big-time politics—he has taken the helm of the district branch of Yulia Tymoshenko’s party. However, even here the logic has gone out the window, because, in the words of the newly minted party member himself: “As of today, whether to go into politics or not—I’m not, let’s say, fully ready to go into politics yet. I am currently a party member and serve as the head of the branch in the Khadzhibeyevsky District. No, I do not sponsor the party.”
Under what exact conditions “Batkivshchyna” took in such a toxic figure remains an open question. For now, Dmytro Anatoliyovych feels so confident and immune from consequences that, instead of sitting in the dock, he’s attacking law enforcement officials himself: “I am currently in a legal battle with the NACP, since the NACP clearly stated in a publication that they found evidence of illicit enrichment on my part, that they identified the elements of a crime, and that all of this was acquired on my instructions.”
The former prosecutor actively flaunts his legal battles on Facebook, personally racking up hundreds of reposts under his own posts to create the illusion of support. However, the public does not find this amusing at all, because behind the facade of these absurd justifications and partisan manipulations, a sad reality is clearly evident: the Verbytsky case may simply be being deliberately and artificially stalled behind the scenes by anti-corruption agencies.
As a reminder, the editorial staff of the online media outlet UA.NEWS received official confirmation that former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi, who is a subject of NABU investigations into illegal enrichment, has become a member of the political party “All-Ukrainian Union ‘Batkivshchyna.’” In light of this, journalists sent a request to party leader Yulia Tymoshenko asking her to explain the ethical criteria for selecting party members, particularly those who may be involved in corruption.
