Naftogaz Ex-Chair Kobolev Informed Of Suspicion For Paying Himself Bonuses For USD 10 Million

Andrii Kobolev, the former Chairman of the Board of the Naftogaz of Ukraine national joint-stock company, is suspected of illegally paying himself bonuses worth UAH 229 million.

This was reported to Ukrainian News Agency by a source in the Specialized Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office (SACPO).

On Thursday, January 19, the prosecutor of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office and detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NACB) informed Kobolev of the suspicion.

The ex-Chairman of the Board of Naftogaz is accused of having secured the payment of bonuses worth more than UAH 229 million by abusing his official position.

He is charged with committing a crime under Part 5 of Article 191 (appropriation, embezzlement of property or seizure by abuse of office, committed on a large scale or in a martial law or state of emergency) of the Criminal Code.

According to the investigation, in 2018, Kobolev, abusing his official position, initiated the consideration by the Naftogaz Supervisory Board of the issue of agreeing on the payment of a premium for achieving significant goals, the implementation of important strategic projects to employees of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine, including board members.

Later, he prepared changes and additions to the presentation regarding the payment of the award for extraordinary achievements, determining the size of the award in the amount of USD 10 million.

At the same time, the Chairman of the Board deliberately hid from the members of the Committee on Appointments and Remuneration and the Supervisory Board of the Company information that for managers of enterprises based on state ownership, the limits of bonuses based on the results of work were established, namely, no more than 36 official salaries per year.

As a result, the supervisory board of Naftogaz agreed on the changes, which ensured that Kobolev was paid bonuses.

The investigation found that during 2018 Kobolev was illegally accrued and paid bonuses in the amount exceeding the maximum allowed amount of UAH 229,250,410.

During 2018-2021, the officials of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine did not contribute to the investigation, hiding from the investigation the documents and materials of the company necessary to establish the circumstances of the crime.

The sanction of the article provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of 7 to 12 years with deprivation of the right to occupy certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term of up to 3 years and with confiscation of property.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, a year ago the State Bureau of Investigations conducted searches of Kobolev.

The former chairman of the board of Naftogaz considers it deserved to pay bonuses to himself and the management of the company.