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Leonid Chernovetskyi Леонід Черновецький
Kiev City State Administration
In office 20 April 2006 – 16 November 2010
Preceded by	Oleksandr Omelchenko
Succeeded by	Oleksandr Popov
Personal details
Born	(1951-11-25) November 25, 1951 (age 72) Georgian[4]
Political party	Christian Liberal Party of Ukraine
Spouse(s)	Alina Aivazova (divorce) Elena Savchuk[5]
Children	Kristina Stepan Gabriel[5]
Signature
Website	www.chernovetskiy.com.ua/

Leonid Mykhaylovych Chernovetskyi (

In 2012, Leonid Chernovetskiy founded the Chernovetskyi Investment Group, a venture capital group based in Kiev.[13] In 2015, the Chernovetskyi Investment Group made an investment of $1 million into Busfor, a Moscow-based online tour company.^[14][15]

On August 18, 2008 President

In February 2009 he released a compact disc with "popular songs of the 1980s" sung by him.^[20]

In 2009 he became the man of the year according to Korrespondent magazine.^[21]

In January 2, 2013 Leonid Chernovetskiy founded Chernovetskyi Investment Group, investment potential of which exceeds 750 million dollars.^[22]

He is currently Honorary President of Chernovetskyi Investment Group.^[23]

Chernovetskyi was nicknamed "Cosmos" (Ukrainian: Космос) after he publicly announced that he intends to fly in outer space with his cat. However, that name got stuck with him later due to his non-ordinary administrative and political decisions and announcements that have been viewed as "bizarre".^[24] He has sung at rallies and offered to auction off his kisses. That behavior prompted some officials to call for a medical examination into whether he is mentally healthy to govern the city. In response, Chernovetsky posed on March 18, 2009 in tight swimming trunks in front of scores of reporters to try to show he was both physically and mentally fit.^[12][25]

Chernovestkyi was the subject of several personal and political attacks when he took office as mayor of Kiev. Some were critical about his lack of experience and his authoritarianism. Others considered him off-balance or speculated that he has drug or alcohol problems. However, none of these accusations have been proven to date.^[26]

Controversies

Pravex Bank, one of the largest retail banks of Ukraine formerly controlled by Chernovestkyi and his family, was rumoured to submit its new employees to a polygraph test and to use coercive methods to recover impaired loans. However, the Bank came out to be one of the most profitable financial institutions in Ukraine despite strong competition from foreign-owned banks.

In 2003, Chernovestkyi made headlines for his links to the deaths of two pedestrians who had died on separate occasions after being run over at high speed by cars linked to Chernovetsky on the road leading to his mansion in the elite Koncha Zaspa residential neighborhood. Chernovetsky, who is a collector of expensive souped-up automobiles, was behind the wheel in the second incident; his wife was a passenger in the first. Neither Chernovetsky nor his driver has been found guilty of any wrongdoing in connection with the incidents.^[27]

On February 16, 2010 the Kiev city administration denied reports that Chernovetskyi's daughter Khrystyna Chernovetska was robbed in France on February 15, 2010 after foreign media had reported that Chernovetska had €4.5 million worth of jewels stolen in Paris.^[28]

In April 2011, Interpol issued an international arrest warrant for Chernovetskyi's son-in-law Viacheslav Suprunenko, a member of the Kiev city council's Chernovetskyi Bloc faction.^[29] According to Kyiv Post, he was arrested in Italy in May 2011.^[30]

Chernovetskyi's son, Stepan was arrested in Barcelona in July 2016 on charges of money laundering and fraud^[31] despite his father's denials and threats of legal action against Spanish authorities.^[32] Leonid Chernovetskyi released a statement on his Facebook page announcing the release of his son in August 2016.^[33][34]

Political career

Chernovetskyi is the leader of the Christian Liberal Party of Ukraine.^[35] He joined the party in 1996 and was elected to the Ukrainian Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, representing one of Kiev's constituencies. He was reelected in 1998 and 2002. During his last term (2002–2006) he was a member of the Committee of National Budget and head of the Committee of a Control of Budget Spending. He also was a member of the Our Ukraine fraction in Parliament. In 1998-1999 Chernovestkyi was a co-chair, and in 1999-2000 the chair of the "For Beautiful Ukraine" party. From 1997 to 2001 he was a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the President of Ukraine.

While being a member of Verhovna Rada Leonid Chernovetskyi strongly supported people of Kiev in struggle for their rights against officials of Kyiv City State Administration. During this time his office helped thousands of Kyiv citizens. In some cases he personally sought positive resolutions.^[36]

In 2003, he initiated the adoption of the law "On the protection of public morals", which govern the basic directions of state regulation of information products circulation which affect negatively on public morality. The law also imposed prohibition on the production and circulation of pornographic nature objects.^[37]

2004 presidential elections

Chernovestkyi was a self-nominated candidate in the

According to the Kiev city election commission, Chernovetskyi garnered 32 percent of the vote to win the election for mayor of Kiev. Vitali Klitschko placed second with 24 percent and incumbent Oleksandr Omelchenko placed third with 21 percent. Opponents say Chernovetskyi won because of a dirty campaign marred by bribing impoverished elderly voters with food; Chernovetsky has denied this.^[38] Chernovetskyi was also elected to the Verkhovna Rada in the list of the Our Ukraine Bloc, but had to reject the parliamentary seat.

In first year after the election victory Chernovetskyi increased Kyiv budget in 5 times^[39] Leonid Chernovetskyi was developing anti-alcohol and anti-tobacco programs during time when he was mayor.^[40]

2008 snap Kiev local election and political unrest

Leonid Chernovetskyi won another term as Mayor of Kiev with 38% of the vote in the May 25, 2008

Former deputy head of Leonid Chernovetsky's Block Alla Shlapak stated opinion, that because of humanitarian programs for pensioners, teachers, medics and other groups of society, Chernoverskiy can be considered the best mayor of Kyiv.[42]

While having a solid amount of money he always paid attention to socially unprotected people and outcasts. In 2010 he founded a charitable service “Social patrol”, which was delivering warm clothes, food, medical assistance and advising to homeless people.^[43]

In 12 of April 2012, in Georgia L. Chernovetskiy established charitable fund “Social partnership”. The main projects of Social Partnership fund are:“Home care” (providing medicaments and medical assistance to those who are in need); “Family-type orphanage”; “Large family support”; “Gathering of clothes” (system for receiving and redistribution of clothes for people in need); “Food collecting program” (gathering of food for poor people).^[44]

After the resignation from post of mayor he continued engage in charity. According to his own statement ex-mayor spends not less than 1 million dollars to charity per year. In September 2013 he has opened an orphanage in Georgia.^[36]

Leonid Chernoverskiy belongs to those politics, who are active users of social networks. His Facebook page is updated regularly. Ex-mayor often chats with other users, gives business advices, expresses his opinion on current events.^[45] Furthermore, Chernovetskiy periodically organizes various online contests for generating ideas to resolve crisis in Ukraine. Authors of the best ideas receive solid cash rewards from the ex-mayor.^[46]

Chernoverskiy did not participate in the 2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election.^[47]

In December 2015 Chernoverskiy made an announcement of his intention to enter the political arena in Georgia in an interview with a Georgian media outlet, stating, “I decided to go into politics because I want to spend the last days of my life here, in Georgia. Georgia is my destiny!”.^[48][49]

Klychko - Chernovetsky stand-off

On February 6, 2009, the

In May 2008, preliminary results showed Leonid Chernovetsky as clear leader ahead of Aleksandr Turchinov, a member of Ukraine Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko’s Bloc and Vitaly Klychko.[53]

Chernovetskyi had become unpopular among the residents of Kiev.^[54] On March 13, 2009 a Verkhovna Rada temporary commission on the issues of investigating violations of legislation by the officials of the Kiev city state administration and the Kiev city council came to the conclusion that it was necessary to examine the mental and physical state of Chernovetskyi, however, the procedure could be performed against his will only under a court ruling.^[55]

in May 2009, Klychko threatened to sue Chernovetsky for claims he demanded two hectares of land on which to erect a boxing club.^[56]

In 2011, the feud continued with Klychko again with allegations that Chernovetsky was responsible for the theft of 70 billion hryvni. Chernovetsy responded with intent to counter sue.^[57]

Yanukovych presidency

Chernovetskyi announced in March 2009 he would participate in the

In February 2012 Chernovetskyi stated he will not run for re-election.[6]

Chernovetsky tendered his resignation on 1 June 2012.^[3] The City Council accepted the early termination of office on 12 July 2012.^[2] The City Council decided the same day that Halyna Hereha would temporarily act as the mayor of the capital city.^[3] Kiev then did not have an elected mayor until mayor Vitali Klitschko was sworn in on 5 June 2014.^[65]

After the resignation of mayor Leonid Chernovetskiy continued to engage actively in charity. Ex-mayor is spending at least $1 million a year for charity according to his own statement. In September 2013 he opened children’s home in Georgia.^[36]

Charity

After tragic events in Ukraine in February 2014, L. Chernovetskiy donated 10 million UAH to bereaved families. “I clearly understand that money will not compensate a loss of close relatives and loved ones, but I cannot stand aside”, he said. Leonid Chernovetskyi founded charity foundation in Georgia and for today it is the biggest local charity foundation called as Chernovetskyi Charity Fund. ^[66]

Family and private life

In 2013 grandson of Chernovetskiy Leonid became a champion of Catalonia in freestyle wrestling.^[67]

June 7, 2014, Georgia - Chernoverskiy has christened his son Gabriel. This event attracted a lot of mass media attention.^[68]

Stepan, the eldest son of Leonid Chernoverskiy, is known for his passion for boxing. According to several mass media, Stepan Chernoverskiy owns promotion company "Elit boxing" and periodically conducts box tournaments.^[69]

After this resignation as Kiev Mayor Chernovetsky and his family moved to the

• In 2008 Chernovetskiy opened, at its own expense, monument to Gergiy Gongadze and other journalists who died for freedom of speech[70]
• In 2009 Chernovetskyi published his second and third book “How to become a millionaire” and “History of success”^[71]
• It is noteworthy that Chernovetskiy’s second book was inspired by his cat Yasha.^[72]
• At the same time ex-mayor several times stated that image of “immoral politic with mental disorders” was artificially created by mass media that belongs to his opponents oligarchs.^[73]
• Against all accusations in immorality from his political adversaries Leonid Chernovetskyi few times was awarded orders for revival of spirituality and protection of moral values^[74]
• In 2009 Kharkiv publishing house "Folio", in the series “Famous Ukrainians” published a book about Leonid Chernovetskiy.^[75]

Honours and awards

• The order of "St. Michael the Archangel" (24 July 2004) – h.c. of spirituality revival in Ukraine^[76]
• Honor of the Supreme Court of Ukraine "For fidelity to the law" (5 May 2006)^[74]
• Medal of the Prosecutors Association "For cooperation in approving the law" (26 November 2009)^[74]
• "The order for Humanity and Mercy" of St. Mary's Foundation - charitable activity, a significant contribution to the revival of spirituality and moral values (23 June 2006)^[74]
• Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 5th class (19 August 2008) - for his significant contribution to the socio-economic and cultural development of the Ukrainian state, significant work achievements and on the occasion of the 17th anniversary of Independence of Ukraine
• Order of Merit, 3rd class (23 August 2005) - for his significant contribution to the socio-economic, scientific and cultural development of Ukraine, significant work achievements and active citizenship activities
• Honoured Lawyer of Ukraine (4 October 1997) - for outstanding contribution to strengthening the rule of law, professionalism
• Commander of the Order of the Three Stars (Latvia, 19 June 2008)
• Order of Honour (Georgia, 2007)

References