Attorney General Bob Ferguson's Organized Retail Crime Unit is taking a stand against retail theft with the filing of felony charges against three individuals. As reported by the Office of the Attorney General, this marks the unit's sixth prosecution since its inception last year. Volodymyr Tsuman and Leonid Trotskovets face accusations of first-degree organized retail theft, while Volodymyr’s brother, Veniamen Tsuman, is charged with second-degree.
Accusations leveled against them allege the trio executed a "double-dipping" scheme, employing a devious method to steal over $48,000 in goods from Home Depots throughout Snohomish, Thurston, Pierce, and King counties. The brothers Tsuman, along with Trotskovets, would purchase items and then re-enter the stores to lift additional merchandise, showing their original receipts if confronted. An affidavit released details their alleged ploys, which included using pick-up paperwork to misappropriate goods from one store and pilfering items by evading self-checkout protocols.
If the court finds the accused guilty, the sentences could be severe. Volodymyr Tsuman and Trotskovets could each be looking at 10 years behind bars and fines up to $20,000. Veniamen Tsuman is facing a less, but still significant, penalty of 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Furthermore, the prosecution, led by Assistant Attorney General Katie Thomason, is seeking full restitution for the losses sustained by Home Depot.
Though these charges are serious, it's imperative to remember that they remain allegations at this stage. "A person is presumed innocent unless and until the individual is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law," states the affidavit. Referrals from county prosecutors or the governor provide the Attorney General’s Office with the authority to initiate such criminal prosecutions. In this instance, the Office has accepted those referrals from several counties, embracing the task of enforcing justice.
In keeping with professional standards, the Attorney General’s Office has committed to transparency while respecting its role in the judicial process. Public statements will adhere to the narrow avenues permitted by the Rules of Professional Conduct for pre-trial commentary. As the legal process unfolds, further updates on this matter will be issued with appropriate discretion.
