The HACC convicted lawyer Volodymyr Makoda — who also held a part-time position as an associate professor at a Kyiv university law faculty — of incitement to bribe judges and misappropriation of funds through deception.

According to the investigation, in August 2017, Yuliia Hrynda, director of Hostynets LLC, approached lawyer Volodymyr Makoda for legal assistance in a criminal proceeding at the cassation stage before the Higher Specialized Court of Ukraine (HSCU).

After reviewing the case materials, Makoda told the client he had personal connections with the judges hearing the case and could secure a ruling in her favor — for a price. He convinced the businesswoman that a bribe needed to be paid to the judges, setting the total at $120,000 and breaking it into several installments.

The initial payment was to cover the scheduling of the case for hearing, with subsequent payments tied to the actual issuance of the ruling. To maintain the appearance of credibility, Makoda staged contacts with the judges, arranged meetings, showed the client notes, and fed her fabricated updates on how the case was progressing.

He ultimately received the money in three tranches ($10,000 and two payments of $55,000 each) assuring the client he was passing it on to the judges. In reality, Makoda had no intention of doing so and spent part of the funds himself, keeping the rest at his home and office.

Meanwhile, he continued to deceive the client: reporting on supposed agreements reached with the judges, naming hearing dates, and insisting on secrecy and the need for further payments.

The money was ultimately seized during searches.

The investigation found no evidence of any involvement on the part of the HSCU judge.

The HACC convicted Makoda under Article 190(4) and Article 369(4) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, sentencing him to nine years' imprisonment with confiscation of half of his owned property. He was also banned from practicing law for two years.