NABU and SAP reported a new suspicion of the former head of the Ministry of Health and the expert of the DEPROPROPUMINT “POLOGRAPHNOGBINT“ Ukraine ”by Maxim Stepanov. He is accused of a corruption scheme with multimillion royalties and money laundering through offshore.
According to the investigation, during the management of the state printing combine, Stepanov organized an undue benefit in the form of copyright for protective elements for Ukrainian foreign passports and ID cards. These elements were developed by a French company that agreed to transfer rights in exchange for the ability to stable to supply their products to a state -owned enterprise.
From 2018 to 2021, the accounts of the Estonian company, which appeared in the case as a tool for getting royalties, received about 7 million euros. These funds, according to NABU and SAP, were legalized through offshore structures, controlled by Stepanov.
The investigation also found that part of the funds - in particular, $ 124.8 thousand - were transferred to the account of the suspect's daughter. This may indicate attempts to mask the true origin of money and their final beneficiaries.
Stepanov's previous suspicion concerned the abuse of office, as well as gaining benefits as a result of a conspiracy. However, the current prosecution significantly expands the range of possible crimes - from commercial bribery to full legalization of criminal income.
This case once again demonstrates how even strategic state functions - such as protection of documents of citizens - can become a source of personal enrichment for officials if the control and accountability system does not work properly.
