Ukraine receives $1 million in damages (06/25/00)

Ukraine receives $1 million in damages

Award result of cooperation by U.S. and Ukrainian law enforcement bodies

Embassy of Ukraine

WASHINGTON - Ambassador Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, Ukraine's envoy to the United States, on June 1 accepted a check for $1 million from the U.S. government for restitution and damages caused by the U.S.-based McCormick Distilling Company, Inc. This past April, McCormick pleaded guilty in Newark, N.J., to a misdemeanor charge of falsifying liquor export documents.

The check was presented to Ambassador Gryshchenko at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington by James Robinson, deputy attorney general of the United States, and Murray Stein, chief legal advisor of the Foreign Office of the Department of Justice, who had been working closely with the Embassy and the Procurator General's Office of Ukraine.

"The awarding of this check has been made possible by the close cooperation between law enforcement officials of Ukraine and the United States, which has been significantly enhanced in recent years through the workings of the Kuchma-Gore Commission," stated Ambassador Gryshchenko.

It was found that the McCormick Distilling Co. had unknowingly done business with organized crime members who improperly labeled alcohol meant for human consumption as industrial cleaning products. This liquid was then smuggled for sale on the black market. McCormick fully cooperated with U.S. law enforcement officials and court documents state that the company never knowingly did business with organized crime. The company was charged with a misdemeanor record-keeping violation and was requested to compensate the government of Ukraine for $1 million.

"The United States and Ukraine have a good legal basis for cooperation through a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty that was recently ratified by the Parliament of Ukraine. In addition, it is anticipated that our two countries will soon finalize an extradition treaty," stated Ambassador Gryshchenko.

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