A criminal investigation has been launched against Andrey Korobka, the Vice-Governor of Krasnodar Krai. Authorities conducted a search at his residence, uncovering millions of euros and dollars in cash.
Korobko had recently been viewed as a leading candidate for the governor’s post, should Veniamin Kondratyev step down. Sources indicate he enjoys the support of Vladimir Ustinov, the presidential envoy to the Southern Federal District, and maintains close ties with Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev.
Korobko oversaw all the most profitable sectors of Kuban: agriculture, ports and exports, the redistribution of collective farms (once seized by the "Pokrovtsy" group), fertilizers, subsidies, deep processing of agricultural products, etc.
More than a year ago, when Kondratyev was preparing to move to Moscow – there were talks that he would head the Federal Agency for State Property Management (Rosimushchestvo) – Kondratyev himself, Ustinov, and Patrushev all saw Korobko as his successor. However, the situation has drastically changed. Now, Kondratyev’s entire inner circle, regardless of their high-level patrons, have ended up either in pre-trial detention or under investigation (under other preventive measures).
During the search of Andrey Korobko’s property, €7 million, $4 million, and 31 million rubles were seized. The official lives in an estate covering 130 hectares, worth one billion rubles, located by the Kochety River.
The investigation suspects that Korobko, together with Krasnodar regional legislative assembly deputies Fursa and Sidyukov – beneficiaries of development companies and large agricultural holdings – was involved in embezzlement of budget funds. Among other methods, the money was laundered through the FC Kuban football club.
The Leninsky District Court of Krasnodar has accepted for consideration a claim seeking to confiscate property belonging to the family of Krasnodar Krai Vice-Governor Andrey Korobka and related persons, turning it over to state revenue. The assets in question are valued at 10 billion rubles.
