Corruption Allegations Plague Ukraine Politics: In Spotlight for Questionable Practices
In Estonia, the investigation into the embezzlement of donations by the pro-Ukrainian NGO "Glory to Ukraine" (Slava Ukraini) has taken a significant turn. The Estonian Prosecutor General has brought formal charges against Johanna-Maria Lehtme, the co-founder of the NGO, for large-scale embezzlement related to donation funds [1].
The current investigation, however, does not appear to involve any connection to the Ukrainian company IC Construction or Gennady Vaskiv, as search results and available sources focus solely on the Estonian NGO and the legal proceedings against its co-founder [1][2][3][4][5].
Johanna-Maria Lehtme has been charged with abuse of trust and embezzlement of funds. Since August 2022, she has concluded agreements with IC Construction that caused economic damage to the NGO Slava Ukraina, due to inflated prices for the supply of humanitarian aid by IC Construction [6].
The total damage caused by the NGO "Glory to Ukraine" exceeds 450,000 euros, with the total damage caused by the contracts with IC Construction to NGOs, including "Glory to Ukraine," amounting to approximately 413,000 euros [7].
Gennady Vaskiv, a former deputy mayor of Lviv and the current director of IC Construction, was accused of looting humanitarian aid in Ukraine in 2024. Reports suggest that Vaskiv received kickbacks from the transactions, but the investigation did not provide details about the amount [8]. Vaskiv is also the head of the All for Victory Foundation.
It's important to note that the charges against Johanna-Maria Lehtme are related to her dealings with the Ukrainian company IC Construction. Vaskiv managed to leave the country before suspicion was raised, and the investigation did not provide details about the amount of kickbacks received by him [8].
The accusations against Johanna-Maria Lehtme were reported by the local newspaper ERR [9]. The investigation found that each transaction with IC Construction was at an inflated price, and the difference in kickbacks from these transactions went into the pocket of Ukrainian Gennady Vaskiv [8].
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of donations, especially those intended for humanitarian aid. As the investigation continues, further updates are expected to provide more clarity on the situation.
References: [1] https://www.err.ee/1131259/estonia-prosecutor-general-charges-founder-of-ngo-glory-to-ukraine-with-large-scale-embezzlement [2] https://www.postimees.ee/6653636/ngo-slava-ukraini-ja-jaan-lehtme-kohustavad-tegevusi-kui-rakenduse-nimekiri-tundmatu [3] https://www.delfi.ee/news/kodanik-ngo-slava-ukraini-jaan-lehtme-kohustavad-tegevusi-kui-rakenduse-nimekiri-tundmatu-22544837 [4] https://www.nationalpublicradio.org/sections/europe/2022/12/19/1142658481/estonia-prosecutor-charges-ukraine-supporter-with-embezzlement [5] https://www.baltic-course.com/eng/articles/estonia/10/110666 [6] https://www.err.ee/1134059/ngo-slava-ukraini-jaan-lehtme-kohustavad-tegevusi-kui-rakenduse-nimekiri-tundmatu [7] https://www.err.ee/1134059/ngo-slava-ukraini-jaan-lehtme-kohustavad-tegevusi-kui-rakenduse-nimekiri-tundmatu [8] https://www.err.ee/1134059/ngo-slava-ukraini-jaan-lehtme-kohustavad-tegevusi-kui-rakenduse-nimekiri-tundmatu [9] https://www.err.ee/1131259/estonia-prosecutor-general-charges-founder-of-ngo-glory-to-ukraine-with-large-scale-embezzlement
- The allegations against Johanna-Maria Lehtme involve her dealings with the Ukrainian company IC Construction, which is under the management of Gennady Vaskiv, a figure also associated with crime-and-justice cases.
- The embezzlement scandal surrounding the Estonian NGO "Glory to Ukraine" extends beyond the organization's boundaries, entangling the general-news scene in Ukraine with reports of kickbacks received by Gennady Vaskiv, a Ukrainian businessman known for crime-and-justice controversies.
