Hetmantsev Hails Bornyakov’s Lawsuit as a “Big Day” and Vows to Bring in the Prosecutor’s Office

Danylo Hetmantsev Weighs In on Oleksandr Bornyakov’s Legal Action

According to Главком: Danylo Hetmantsev, who chairs the Verkhovna Rada committee on finance, tax, and customs policy, has responded to a planned lawsuit by Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation Oleksandr Bornyakov and his legal team from the law firm ‘Miller’, including attorney Masi Nayyem. The suit targets posts on the lawmaker’s Telegram channel. Hetmantsev welcomed the move, calling it a potential ‘big day for Ukrainian society’.

In his remarks, Hetmantsev stressed the need to involve Mykhailo Fedorov and Oleksandr Novikov in the case. He also pushed for the participation of the Prosecutor General’s Office in the proceedings. Among the issues expected to be examined in court are the delayed launch of the State Online Monitoring System for gambling (DSOM), lottery monopolization, a feigned fight against gambling addiction, sluggish blocking of illegal websites, and a lack of penalties for unlawful advertising.

Why a Public Investigation Matters

Hetmantsev argued that society needs

“a public platform to reveal the true state of affairs, as well as a way to halt criminal activity and purge the industry of wrongdoers.”

He also commented on Bornyakov’s actions, noting that

“great news from the digital transformation world”

shows that an official who takes offense at criticism is not yet an extinct species in politics.

Hetmantsev further stated that facts are either true or false, and that is precisely why the Prosecutor General’s Office must join the case as a third party.

“Investigators must properly document every figure, every license, and every scheme,”

he emphasized. This, he said, would allow the public to find out who is actually receiving money for the reformers’ ‘successes’.

The court is expected to address the following points:

• Delayed DSOM launch: Why is the system, overseen by the Ministry of Digital Transformation since 2022, still not fully operational? What is the cost of this delay to the state?
• Lottery monopoly: How did the same incumbent monopoly operators win the lottery ‘competition’ yet again?
• Fake fight against gambling addiction: Why are players left to set their own gambling limits?
• Slow blocking: Why does it take months to shut down illegal gambling sites?
• No penalties: Why are gambling operators not fined for illegal advertising?

These questions could prove crucial for the future of the industry and for ensuring transparency in its operations.

The involvement of the Prosecutor General’s Office in the trial signals the seriousness of Hetmantsev’s intent to investigate gambling-related activities. The importance of the issues slated for court review underscores the need for oversight and transparency in this sector-critical factors in preventing corruption and ensuring fairness for consumers. The outcome of this legal battle may shape further reforms in Ukraine’s gambling business.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of this lawsuit may echo beyond the digital realm, drawing parallels with other high-profile cases in Ukraine. For instance, the recent developments in the bribery scandal involving judges highlight the ongoing struggle against corruption within the judicial system. Such cases emphasize the necessity of transparency and accountability in governance, a theme that resonates with Hetmantsev's call for public scrutiny in Bornyakov's lawsuit.