Law enforcement authorities have issued notices of suspicion to a group of senior officials, Ukrainian MPs, and top banking executives accused of laundering 150 million UAH to post bail for former Energy and Justice Minister Herman Galushchenko, a key suspect in the «Midas» case. According to investigators, the money-laundering network involved Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Iryna Mudra, MP Vadym Stolar, former MP Maksym Mykytas, and top management of the state-owned Sense Bank. All suspects are charged with money laundering under Part 3, Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Investigation reveals that following the High Anti-Corruption Court’s (HACC) decision to set bail for Galushchenko, the scheme’s organizers seized effective control over state-owned Sense Bank. Illicit cash was funneled through conversion centers and deposited into the accounts of four shell companies—Tetras Optima LLC, Hiran Construct LLC, Sky Retail LLC, and Pelet Service LLC—before being transferred directly to HACC’s account.
Wiretap recordings leaked by authorities show suspects referring to the plan as Operation «Forrest Gump» and discussing «four bags» of cash counted manually inside vehicles. To bypass regulatory scrutiny, Sense Bank Board Chairman Oleksiy Stupak directed staff to temporarily disable the bank’s financial monitoring system, while the head of the compliance department was threatened with dismissal if the transactions failed. Security and transit for the cash were allegedly provided by Defense Intelligence (GUR) personnel.
A separate segment of the investigation details attempts to exert influence over Sense Bank. Tapes indicate that businessman Timur Mindich requested the Presidential Office to place the financial institution under its direct authority. Intercepted conversations regarding the bank’s oversight mention individuals referred to as «Davyd» and the «Parliamentary Committee Chair,» linked by investigators to MPs Davyd Arakhamia and Danylo Hetmantsev.
«Only an imbecile would log stolen funds and tuition payments under their own children’s names. That’s why it’s called Forrest Gump,» one suspect is heard saying on the recordings.
Danylo Hetmantsev publicly denied discussing control of Sense Bank with Mudra or anyone else, stating he is prepared to take a polygraph test and testify before NABU detectives. During searches, investigators also seized a drafted crisis communication strategy concerning parliamentary commission proceedings.