Zelenskyy’s ex-chief of staff accused in Ukraine corruption investigation | Ukraine
Ukrainian authorities have named Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s powerful former chief of staff as a suspect in a major corruption investigation; It’s a move likely to put pressure on the president’s office at a sensitive moment in the war with Russia.
Kiev’s political class was rocked last year by a wide-ranging investigation that fueled public anger and led to the resignation of former top adviser and Zelenskyy’s right-hand man Andriy Yermak.
In a statement on Monday, Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies said the “former head of the Office of the President of Ukraine” was among those suspected of participating in a criminal organization that laundered nearly $10.5 million through an elite housing project outside the capital Kiev.
The agencies did not name Yermak in accordance with Ukrainian law, but he was widely identified in local media. Speaking to Ukrainian broadcaster Radio Liberty, he denied owning real estate in the project but did not comment further.
The case is part of a broader investigation into high-level corruption that was first revealed last November, when a former Zelenskyy business associate was accused of running a $100 million kickback scheme at the state atomic agency.
The former deputy prime minister and Zelenskyy’s close colleague were also charged as part of the investigation.
Zelenskyy’s communications adviser, Dmytro Lytvyn, told reporters that it was too early to comment on the suspicions against Yermak because procedural proceedings were still ongoing.
Yermak was widely viewed as Ukraine’s second most powerful person after Zelenskyy, and despite holding an unelected position, he wielded great influence over much of Ukrainian politics.
The former film producer and entertainment lawyer frequently appeared alongside the president at public events and was also Kiev’s chief negotiator in U.S.-backed peace talks with Russia.
His resignation last year came amid a broader government reshuffle aimed at restoring confidence in the president’s office, marred by claims of centralized power.
