Andriy Yermak, former head of Ukraine's presidential office, faces a formal notice of suspicion in an $11 million money laundering scheme. Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities recently searched his office. The raid was first reported by Schemes, an investigative project of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Ukrainian Service.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) suspect Yermak was part of a group. This group allegedly laundered illicit funds through luxury construction projects near Kyiv. NABU indicates some funding for the real estate may have come from corruption schemes at Energoatom, Ukraine's state nuclear operator.
This allegation links the Yermak case directly to Operation "Midas." That sprawling investigation targets a more than $100 million bribery and money laundering network within the nation's energy sector. High-ranking officials and businessmen are involved in the Midas probe.
NABU and SAPO have also issued notices of suspicion to six other individuals. These include a former deputy prime minister and a businessman. Investigators consider this businessman a ringleader of the group exposed in the Midas probe.
Yermak previously resigned from his post amid earlier anti-corruption raids. Those raids were linked to Energoatom kickbacks. He has declined to comment on the current allegations until all procedural actions are completed.
Dmytro Lytvyn, a communications adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated it is too early to assess the situation while the investigation actively unfolds.