The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau have exposed a judge and a lawyer in Odesa, who are suspected of receiving bribes for "favorable" court decisions. The suspects were detained after the last part of the illegal benefit was transferred. This was reported by law enforcement officials.
Details of the Scheme
According to the investigation, the judge and the lawyer offered the defendant in a civil case to negotiate with a judge from one of the district courts in Odesa. The cost of the "service" was $10,000 – part of the money was to be paid in advance before the case was heard, and the rest was to be paid before the decision was made.
The organizers of the scheme were detained while receiving the last tranche of the bribe.
Charges and Punishment
Both suspects have been informed of suspicion in the completed attempt to incite a bribe to a public official. They face up to eight years in prison. Currently, the issue of choosing a preventive measure is being resolved.
Context
In June 2024, a former judge of the Kyiv District Administrative Court was sentenced to 5.5 years in prison for bribery. In November, the State Bureau of Investigation reported that a judge in the Ivano-Frankivsk region fatally struck a pedestrian – she was notified of suspicion.
