Law enforcement officials are investigating judges in the Forrest Gump case
A new line of inquiry has emerged in the NABU and SAPO “Forrest Gump” case—law enforcement officials are investigating the contacts of representatives of commercial courts. According to the editorial team’s sources, the investigation involves approximately ten judges, including the heads of the Donetsk Regional Commercial Court and the Eastern Commercial Court of Appeals.
In the high-profile “Forest Gump” case involving NABU and the SAPO, law enforcement officials may be examining not only business ties and financial transactions but also the contacts of representatives of the judicial system. According to the editorial team’s sources within law enforcement agencies, the investigation is analyzing the communications of approximately ten representatives of the commercial judiciary. The focus is on potential contacts that could have been relevant to the adjudication of specific commercial disputes.
So far, none of the judges named in this article have been formally charged. Nor are there any court-established facts regarding their involvement in any illegal activities. Therefore, the mere fact of a phone call, meeting, or other contact does not in itself imply involvement in a crime. Law enforcement must determine exactly what the individuals discussed, why they maintained contact, and whether it was related to specific court cases.
Judges from various courts are involved in the case
According to sources, among the representatives of the judicial system whose communications may currently be under investigation are Maksym Leiba, chairman of the Donetsk Regional Commercial Court, and Oleksiy Krestyaninov, chairman of the Eastern Commercial Court of Appeals. The investigators’ interest in these contacts stems from the fact that they involve different levels of commercial jurisdiction. One court hears cases as a court of first instance, while the other reviews decisions on appeal.
If law enforcement officials do indeed establish a link between the contacts between representatives of different court levels and specific commercial disputes, this could significantly alter the scope of the investigation. But for now, it is too early to speak of any unified system of influence. Such conclusions can only be drawn after the investigation determines the content of the communications and their connection to specific rulings.
According to one of the editorial team’s sources, the list of judges whose contacts are being investigated may be longer than the two names that have been made public. The editorial team is not naming any other individuals at this time, as the information received requires further verification.
What Is Known About “Park Lane” and “Voronin”
Separately, according to sources, law enforcement officials are focusing on connections surrounding the companies “Park Lane” and “Voronin.” In the materials being analyzed by the investigation, financial and business contacts related to these assets are being examined. Their activities are linked to a well-known Israeli businessman.
One question that may be of interest to law enforcement is whether outside parties may have attempted to influence the adjudication of commercial disputes related to these assets. However, it is important to distinguish between the fact of the investigation itself and a proven violation of the law. So far, there is no basis for claiming that company representatives or judges committed a crime. The investigation must determine whether the contacts were merely routine business communications or whether they were based on agreements regarding specific court cases.
Leiba and Mudra’s contacts are being investigated separately
According to sources, law enforcement officials have also turned their attention to possible contacts between Maksym Leiba and Iryna Mudra. Mudra is already implicated in another high-profile case. She previously served as deputy head of the Office of the President and is now a suspect in a case involving alleged participation in a criminal organization.
As part of the current investigation, it is important not simply to determine whether Leiba and Mudra communicated with each other. According to sources, investigators are primarily interested in the content of such conversations. In particular, they may be examining whether the parties mentioned specific business matters, judges, parties to lawsuits, or potential rulings.
In and of itself, a judge’s acquaintance with a former high-ranking official is not a violation. Likewise, a routine professional or personal conversation is not a crime. The situation would be different if the investigation found evidence of agreements to influence a judicial decision. But such a conclusion requires concrete evidence.
Why Krestyaninov Has Entered the Picture
Another name mentioned by sources is Alexei Krestyaninov, chairman of the Eastern Commercial Court of Appeals. Krestyaninov was elected chairman of the court in October 2024. He currently heads the appellate body for commercial jurisdiction. In the context of the current investigation, it is significant that law enforcement officials can analyze the contacts of individuals working at various levels of the judicial system.
The trial court, the appeals court, and any potential ties to business and other influential figures—the investigation can examine all of these aspects comprehensively. However, there is currently no confirmation that there was any coordination between Leiba, Krestyaninov, or other judges regarding specific cases. Therefore, it is incorrect to speak of a “judicial hierarchy” as an established fact. For now, this is simply a line of inquiry that law enforcement is exploring.
What the NSDC recordings might reveal
One of the key sources of information for the investigation may be materials from covert investigative operations. According to sources, as part of the proceedings, law enforcement officials obtained audio recordings of certain conversations. They are currently being analyzed. The content of these recordings could help determine whether contacts between various individuals were of a routine nature or whether they discussed specific issues related to court proceedings.
There is a fundamental difference here. A phone call or a meeting, in and of itself, proves nothing. Even regular communication between a judge, an official, or a businessman does not automatically imply unlawful influence.
Only specific agreements may be significant, provided they can be substantiated by evidence. For example, discussions of a specific case, agreements on a desired outcome, or attempts to influence a court’s decision. If such facts are confirmed by sufficient evidence, then we can speak of specific offenses and the liability of specific individuals. For now, however, the investigation is merely verifying the information it has received.
The case may take on a new scale
“Forrest Gump” is already one of the high-profile anti-corruption investigations involving government officials and big business. Now, another important angle may emerge—the possible influence on commercial litigation.
If law enforcement confirms that certain contacts were linked to specific commercial disputes and attempts to influence their resolution, the case could extend far beyond individual business agreements. But at this stage, it is important not to get ahead of the investigation. The names of individuals who may appear in the investigation files do not yet imply their guilt.
At present, law enforcement must determine who communicated with whom and for what purpose, whether these conversations concerned specific court cases, and whether there were attempts to unlawfully influence decisions. The editorial team continues to verify this information and is prepared to publish the statements of all individuals mentioned in the article. This was reported by the Judicial and Legal Gazette.
NABU and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have notified a former member of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council (7th convocation) of new charges as part of the “Forest Gump” and “Themis” criminal proceedings.
