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Lviv Senators Busted: GBA Detains Deputy and Mayor’s Aide for Demanding Extortion Money from Entrepreneur
In a significant blow to Lviv’s political scene, investigators from the State Bureau of Investigations (DBR) arrested a regional council deputy and a mayor’s aide on December 24, accused of trying to squeeze money from a local entrepreneur through a fraudulent tender scheme.
The Gist:
- Key Players: Vladimir Domanetskiy, a member of the European Solidarity fraction in Lviv’s Regional Council, and Vitaliy Denega, the first deputy mayor of Yavoriv, were both arrested.
- Alleged Fraud: The pair attempted to defraud a local businessman out of UAH 1 million 200 thousand (approx. USD 27,000) by promising tenders for construction works. They demanded USD 25,000 and UAH 190,000 as "commission" after the businessman independently won the tenders.
- Arrest: Authorities caught the duo after they received the second part of the demanded sum. Both were charged with aggravated fraud committed by an organized group.
The Scenes:
- Failed Money Disposal: Images released by investigators show the suspects attempting to dispose of parts of the ill-gotten gains.
- Arrest Scenes: Additional photographs depict the moment of their arrest.
Sources:
- DBR
- General Prosecutor’s Office
- Law enforcement source speaking to Ukrayinska Pravda
