The National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) has uncovered false entries totaling over UAH 5.24 million in the asset declaration of Oleksandr Kuzmenko, Head of the Main Directorate of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection in Zhytomyr Oblast. The agency determined that the official’s actions show signs of a criminal offense under Part 1 of Art. 366-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (filing false declaration data).
According to the audit, the official failed to report property he actually used or beneficially owned. A significant portion of these assets was officially registered to his mother-in-law, Mariia Zhurina.
The hidden real estate assets include:
A residential house (162.6 m²) and an adjacent building (16.2 m²) in Zarichany village (Zhytomyr district), valued at over UAH 2.2 million;
Two land plots of 1,000 m² each in the same location;
An apartment in Zhytomyr (82.4 m²) with an estimated market value of UAH 2.2 million, which served as the actual residence for Kuzmenko and his family.
Additionally, the official concealed his beneficial ownership of an auto service repair shop in Zarichany, built on land registered to his stepfather.
The NACP rejected Kuzmenko’s claims that the house was built entirely by his mother-in-law and that he only assisted sporadically. Investigators found that Kuzmenko personally managed the construction and renovation works—even during working hours using official service vehicles—and held a broad power of attorney from his mother-in-law.
Inspectors also highlighted discrepancies in the family’s cash savings. While the couple declared UAH 1.6 million in cash, an analysis of their official income and expenses between 2020 and 2024 revealed they could have legitimately saved no more than UAH 745,000.
From the NACP finding:
«An analysis of the family’s income and expenditures for 2020–2024 demonstrated that they could realistically accumulate only around UAH 745,000. The discrepancy stands at UAH 846,000, pointing to signs of illicit enrichment and unjustified assets.»
Previously, the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) conducted searches at Kuzmenko’s properties regarding alleged abuse of power and money laundering. During those raids, law enforcement seized a collection of luxury wristwatches, including pieces from Cartier, Timberland, and Tissot 1853.
Oleksandr Kuzmenko was appointed head of the Zhytomyr regional Consumer Protection Service on January 20, 2025, having previously served as deputy head for nine months. In 2020, he was elected to the Stanyshivka Village Council, meaning financial disclosure requirements applied to him throughout the entire audited period.
The NACP has mandated that Kuzmenko submit a corrected declaration and has transferred the case materials to law enforcement authorities.