“Chernomorneftegaz”: fraud, money theft and politics in Ukraine

GAO “Chernomorneftegaz” refers to the number of strategic enterprises in Ukraine, on the activity of which largely depends the growth of degree of dependence of the republic on the oil and gas imports. The reference-letter that has been sent to “Regnum” news agency refers to the financial fraud problems of that company. It discovers the real condition of the material assets of the enterprise, the methods of acceptance and their implementation.

It is noted that the authors of the reference wished to publish it under the pseudonym of "Nicolay Kuznecov", they also mentioned that they are close with those who present the interests of the staff of this strategic enterprise.

According to a letter, the “Chernomorneftegaz” can boast with the fact that produces the cheapest in of underwater gas of the world ($ 35 per 1000 cubic meters), then he sells it to the population. Moreover, due to increasing the gas prices since 2006 to 2010 the additional profit of the company increased considerably. However, despite of all of this the “Chornomornaftogaz” constantly appears in a paradoxical situation. On one hand, everyone is talking about his prospects (shelf studied by only 5%), on the other hand the funds for the development are missing constantly.

"Involuntarily the question arises: where does the money go?" the authors of the letter write, adding that "it is impossible to cover all the possible thefts, which occurred over a relatively long period in the enterprise."

As a result, the authors of the letter decided to stop on only three “bare” facts in the activities of the “Chernomornaftegaz” as on typical cases that can be prevented through relatively simple means, like changing the management of the organization interest in financial machinations and dismissing the employees of the organization.”

With all the rigor of legal documents and accuracy of mathematical calculations, to the points and in details the letter analyzes some of the transactions and agreements of the company signed during the 2010 (for example, to carry out repairs to diesel rigs, supply pipes, etc.). According to these contracts, the relevant people, have either signed an estimate, paying the contracting for the work which has not been implemented, or have purchased goods for 3,2 times more expensive than their real value was, etc.

"One shouldn’t be a big financial genius to understand the value of the issue. And it is quite a tidy sum in USD 1,030,719.02, which has settled somewhere in the depths of the bottomless pockets of the executives of Chernomornaftegaz,” the letter said.
According to the authors of reference, Valery Yasiuk the chairman of the GAO “Chernomornaftegaz” was fully informed about the current situation. All the details of the contracts were reported to him directly, but they have nevertheless been concluded. Moreover, the letter says, that V. Yasiuk is not a freshman in oil and gas sphere. In 2005, he served as first deputy prime minister of Crimea, and supervised the work of the fuel and energy complex. Since 31 December 2005 he was Deputy Minister of Fuel and Energy of Ukraine, chaired the Department of economic and business activities of the Ministry of Defense. At this moment V. Yasiuk is the Chairman of the Board of GAO “Chernomorneftegaz” and one of his "old" trusted employees" is currently working with him as an adviser. His name is Shalva Sahelashvili. It is the latter, according to the letter, is the mediator between Yasiuk and commercial entities cooperating with the GAO “Chernomornaftegaz”. “Experienced "and nosy Shalva Sahelashvili negotiates for the kickbacks with the businessmen and is actually the money collector," "Nikolay Kuznetsov” is writing.

Based on the above mentioned, the authors of the reference wonder, "What are the desired results that V. Yasiuk is trying to achieve and how would the "modernization" performed by his team will help the stabilization of the financial companies?" And they reach the following conclusion:

"With V. Yasiuk’s “team’s” arrival" problems in GAO Chernomornaftegaz did not decrease. With the change of power the schemes of abuses not only remained but also were improved, modified... Instead of funding the development of the Arkhangelsk deposit Yasiuk, using his official position, through fictitious contracts, finances the "Our Ukraine’ party - People's Self-Defense”. By the way, Nicolay Martynenko the leader of the faction NUNS and V. Yasiuk have not only general ideas, but also a common business.”

The authors of the investigative journalism, noting that they did not mean to "catch the leaders of “Chernomornaftegaz” with their pants down," sum up with an angry call and order:

"In the end, Mr. executives of the “Chernmorneftegaz” company, let's stop using company funds to finance "opposition" forces even if they are very dear to your heart, let's just develop an enterprise for which you are responsible ... Then stop financing the bottomless barrel of so called "Politics"!!!”