US seeks to seize former Ukrainian PM Lazarenko's funds for Ukraine
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
The US Department of Justice is pursuing the recovery of over $200 million belonging to former Ukrainian Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko through civil forfeiture procedures, aiming to return the funds to Ukraine, according to Mary Butler, chief of the International Unit of the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.
Butler explained that Lazarenko was convicted by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, where he served approximately six years in prison. However, the scope of the charges for which Lazarenko was convicted was significantly narrower than those under the jurisdiction of the US Department of Justice.
Butler stated that the case remained unresolved but expressed satisfaction in announcing a new development that brings them closer to a final decision on the confiscation. Then Lazarenko would have the opportunity to appeal as much as he wished. However, Butler emphasized that progress continues to be made. The case could involve over $200 million, pointing out the significant amount of money and the numerous sensitive issues at stake.
The case in question pertains to the Department of Justice's efforts to forfeit over $200 million seized in various countries. The legal proceedings have been ongoing for nearly 20 years.
Among other cases handled by the US Department of Justice, Butler also mentioned the indictment of individuals associated with Serhii Kurchenko, a former ally of ex-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who is under sanctions.
According to preliminary reports from the Department of Justice, Serhii Kurchenko is accused of operating a long-term scheme to evade and violate U.S. sanctions by receiving funds from American entities and conducting business with them, amounting to approximately $330 million.
Pavlo Lazarenko was arrested in the US in February 1999 after fleeing Ukraine. At that time, he was also being sought by Switzerland. In 2009, he received a final verdict from the US court, which found him guilty of laundering $22.85 million and sentenced him to eight years in prison. Lazarenko was released in 2012.
Meanwhile, he received a 1.5-year suspended sentence in Switzerland, along with confiscation of assets and fines. Ukraine has received $6.5 million from Switzerland from the funds stolen by Lazarenko.
