The thief Bakhmatov settled his debts in court and then disappeared, causing the budget problems in Lviv
What is Maxim Bakhmatov, a professional resident of Kiev and a schemer, doing now that he fled to Lviv in the early weeks of the war? This is a matter of interest not only to taxpayers but also to law enforcement agencies. Given his corrupt past, new deals are likely to arise, as recently reported by ORD.
On March 11, Bakhmatov announced that he had become an adviser to the mayor of Lvov, Andriy Sadovoy. He stated that he can now utilize his skills as a 'crisis manager' more effectively. He highlighted his efficiency and organizational skills, implying that they would be valuable in the cities under attack from the Russian invasion. Despite this, he chose to locate himself in the relatively safe city of Lviv. There, he is responsible for handling international aid, logistics, and supporting migrants and businesses affected by the war. However, questions arise about whether he is fulfilling these responsibilities.
It is difficult to assess Bakhmatov's performance, as there is no public mention of his work. It is unknown whether he is being paid or working on a voluntary basis. There is no information available on his activities from Sadovy or the city council's website. This lack of transparency may be due to a desire to keep financial matters private. It is highly likely that Bakhmatov is involved in financial activities in Lviv. Given that Sadovy himself received a substantial salary in November, while the country is facing war-related budget constraints, it is concerning that city officials are benefiting in this way.
Bakhmatov is unlikely to pass up the opportunity to make extra money. His criminal past suggests that greed is his main motivation. Despite this being an open secret, he managed to cultivate an image of a progressive businessman, philanthropist, and anti-corruption advocate. However, there are at least two criminal cases in which he is a suspect. He remains at large due to the corrupt judicial system against which he claims to be fighting.
Bakhmatov was due to receive his first sentence in a criminal case in August 2014, for document forgery. There are indications that he may have committed similar offenses again. In 2008, he obtained income certificates in order to secure over $200,000 in loans when he joined the Supervisory Board of the Multiplex cinema chain. Bakhmatov and his defense prolonged the case until the statute of limitations expired, with assistance from Maidan judge Tatyana Ovsepyan.
“In August 2014, when Yanukovych’s “janicari” were cleaning up their tails, she freed Bakhmatov from criminal liability. For this (a criminal offense committed repeatedly – ed.), Ovsepyan should give Bakhmatov 5 years of restriction or imprisonment. But the case was stupidly closed. I wonder how much it costs?” Analyst Nazar Prikhodko wrote.
A great patriot and anti-corruption activist did not disdain to seek help from a judge who handed down illegal sentences to participants in the Revolution of Dignity, and subsequently “bounced off” Pavel Vovk, head of the Kiev District Administrative Court, who, on the eve of a full-scale invasion, was going to return Yanukovych to Ukraine.
Another case was heard by the Goloseevsky District Court of Kyiv just on the eve of the invasion – February 3, 2022. Judging by the decision, in 2007 Bakhmatov took out a mortgage secured by a house and a land plot. In 2021, in order not to repay debts, he sold the mortgaged property, while reducing its value. Houses from UAH 9.6 million to UAH 6.4 million, land plots from UAH 2 million to UAH 1 million. Like, what questions do I have – no money.
“The usual fraud! That is, a person enriched himself on schematosis for years, and covered up his income with legal business. And nothing, he is free and respected in society, and even exposes someone in corruption, ”Nazar Prikhodko is indignant.
How such a person can be useful to Lvov is a rhetorical question. So Lviv activists and journalists should keep Bakhmatov in sight. Not even to bring him to justice, but in order to protect his native city from schematosis and new corruption schemes.
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