The Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of Prosecutors has decided to dismiss Serhiy Onikeenko, a prosecutor at the Prosecutor General's Office. The reason was circumstances related to his receipt of a disability pension, the legality of which raised serious doubts.
According to the inspection, for almost two years, Onikeyenko received pension payments for disability of group II, the total amount of which reached about 500 thousand hryvnias. The disability was registered through a specialized neuro-ophthalmological medical and social expert commission.
When the prosecutor was summoned to the Dnipro for an inspection, he did not show up. The official explained his absence by a sudden deterioration in his health and an allegedly purchased ticket that he never used. Such actions were regarded as evasion of control procedures.
During the case, Onikeyenko argued the need to obtain the status of a person with a disability due to irregular work schedules, constant work at a computer, high stress levels, and family evacuation. However, these circumstances were not confirmed as grounds for establishing disability in the manner prescribed by law.
Separately, the commission drew attention to the fact that the prosecutor did not inform his management about his disability, while at the same time updating his personal data in the territorial recruitment center without indicating any health problems. This allowed him to keep his reservation, despite the formally declared loss of work capacity.
After the start of the official investigation, Onikeyenko received a retirement pension, effectively ceasing to use the status of a person with a disability. Such a step, according to the disciplinary body, does not remove questions about the legality of previously received budget funds.
The commission's decision states that the prosecutor's behavior undermines the authority of the prosecutor's office and indicates abuse of office. The materials of the inspection can be used for further legal assessment of the official's actions regarding possible compensation for illegally received payments.
