Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine leader Natalia Vitrenko has been found guilty of administrative crimes involving cash membership fees.
The National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) on June 16 said Kyiv’s Pechersky District Court on Friday reached the decision after reviewing NACP’s brief, which cited Article 212-15 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine on administrative offenses (violating procedures for membership dues in political parties).
“The court ruling ordered Vitrenko to pay a Hr 1,700 fine and confiscate Hr 42,620 in membership fees to the political party,” a NACP press release said.
NACP employees uncovered the fact of illegal collection of money during their review of the party’s financial records for the Q4 of 2016.
“Membership fees and contributions were given at party meetings, which took place once a month, with additional cash deposits to the political party,” NACP said, noting that six payments for Hr 42,620 were made from November to December 2016.
NAPC said despite Vitrenko’s innocent plea, the judge concluded that factual information confirmed that an administrative offense had indeed been committed.
NACP said the law on political parties obliges contributions to political parties to be made using banking operations.
