The Pustomyty District Court in Lviv region has issued a verdict against a former official of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection in Lviv, who was apprehended for accepting bribes from a businessman. The court imposed a penalty of 68,000 UAH.
According to the verdict, which was published in the court register in February 2025, a leading specialist in the plant quarantine department of the phytosanitary safety management of the Main Department of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection in Lviv region received bribes from a private firm in April, July, and August 2024 for "not creating artificial obstacles during the phytosanitary procedures." In total, Vitaliy Voronchuk received 48,000 UAH in bribes, and he was apprehended after receiving 12,000 UAH from the company's director. The money was exchanged three times near the building of the customs clearance department "Murovane" at the "Lviv-North" customs post.
A criminal case was initiated against Vitaliy Voronchuk for bribery. In court, he admitted his guilt. The court's verdict indicates that Voronchuk is no longer employed at the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection and is currently unemployed.
This case was presided over by Judge Dmytro Kuksa, who reviewed all materials and positions of the parties involved. He found the defendant guilty of bribery and imposed a fine of 68,000 UAH, along with a one-year prohibition on working in the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection. The 12,000 UAH in bribes seized during the arrest will be returned to the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR). The verdict can still be appealed.