Former member of KRAL sentenced to 8 years in prison for $90,000 bribe: Supreme Court decision

The High Anti-Corruption Court has convicted a former member of the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAL). The official was sentenced to eight years in prison with confiscation of property for receiving $90,000 in illegal gain.

The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office reported this on October 12.

What was the former official convicted of

According to the case materials, in August 2021, detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, together with prosecutors of the SAPO, exposed the official for receiving illegal gain in the amount of $90,000.

According to the prosecution, the money was intended for assistance in making decisions on granting permits and licenses in the field of organizing gambling.

In particular, it was about recognizing two hotels in Chernihiv and Zaporizhia as meeting the requirements for organizing and conducting gambling.

According to law enforcement officials, the official demanded and received an illegal benefit from a person who presented himself as a representative of a private entrepreneur.

The court ordered imprisonment and confiscation of property

The Supreme Anti-Corruption Court found the former official guilty of committing a criminal offense under Part 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – receiving illegal benefit by an official.

Based on the results of the case, the court imposed a sentence of:

eight years of imprisonment;

confiscation of property;

a three-year ban on holding positions in state authorities and performing the functions of a government representative.

Until the verdict enters into force, the preventive measure in the form of bail has been left unchanged.

The verdict can be appealed on appeal within 30 days from the date of its announcement. If an appeal is not filed, the decision will enter into force after the expiration of this period.

What is known about the corruption case

Yevhen Hetman was detained back in August 2021 during an anti-corruption operation by the NABU and SAPO.

Law enforcement officers also published recordings of conversations in which, according to them, the official spoke about his influence on the work of the KRAL apparatus and agreements with other members of the Commission.

In particular, in the recordings, the person identified by the investigation as Hetman claimed that he allegedly transferred thousands of dollars to other members of the KRAL to ensure the adoption of necessary decisions.

The consideration of the criminal proceedings in the High Anti-Corruption Court began in the fall of 2022.

In October 2025, the court also ordered the NABU to establish the whereabouts of one of the witnesses in the case.

Thus, more than five years after the corruption scheme was exposed, the court of first instance has passed a guilty verdict. At the same time, the final conclusion of the trial will depend on a possible appeal.