Statement of сivil society organizations on the selection of HAAC deputy chief of staff

On June 14, Oksana Litvinova won the competition for the Deputy Chief of Staff of the High Anti-Corruption Court (HAC) position.

It should be noted that only four candidates participated in the competition. Two candidates were eliminated based on their level of English, the documents of the third did not meet the requirements. Thus, the competition effectively included one participant, who subsequently won.

Moreover, Oksana Litvinova used to work as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Kyiv Oblast Appeal Court, where she perpetrated grave violations, identified in the course of the scheduled audit, resulting in a disciplinary proceeding against her.

According to the information available to the public, during 2017 and 2018, Oksana Litvinova assigned bonuses to herself and her deputy Oksana Zeldich (who was transferred to HAC apparatus without competition) in the amount of 100% to 400%, respectively. Moreover, an analysis of Litvinova’s declarations shows that she is likely to have been hiding her husband’s assets. For instance, in her 2018 declaration, Oksana Litvinova:

• Failed to mention her husband’s income, stating that he “did not provide this information;”
• Failed to mention that her husband was a founder of a law firm;
• Failed to mention that her husband has a debt claim in the amount of USD 85,000.

In her 2015, 2017 and 2018 declarations, Oksana Litvinova failed to include juridic acts concerning possession of three cars: a 2018 DAEWOO FSO Lanos TF69Y, a 2007 MAZDA 6, and a 2013 Volvo X90.

Thus, instead of an actual competition, what may happen is the appointment of a single candidate for the position, whose integrity is rather questionable. This is completely inconsistent with the criteria of independence and objectivity, which are the basis of establishment of the new judicial agency.

Taking into account the critical importance of the position of HAC Deputy Chief of Staff, which provides access to confidential information and financial resources of the court, civil society organizations working on the issues of judicial and anti-corruption reforms urge the High Council of Justice and the Commission on the High Corps of Public Service in the System of Justice to organize a new competition for the Deputy Chief of Staff of the HAC position, and for the State Judicial Administration not to appoint Oksana Litvinova for this position.

DEJURE Foundation
Anti-Corruption Action Center
Automaidan
Transparency International Ukraine