Klimov Leonid Mykhailovych

Five-time MP from the Party of Regions, owner of "Imexbank" and FC "Chornomorets"

Born in Makiivka, who made a career in Odesa — from firefighter and driver to banker and five-time MP. Five convocations in the Verkhovna Rada — IV, V, VI, VII, VIII — from the "For a United Ukraine" bloc and the Party of Regions. Head of the Odesa regional organization of the Party of Regions. Owner of "Imexbank", the "Chorne More" hotel, and the football club "Chornomorets". Daughter Darina served in the Odesa Regional Council from 2006 to 2015.

"Imexbank": insolvent, NBU recovered UAH 309 million, Fund filed a claim for UAH 8.4 billion

In January 2015, the NBU recognized Klimov's "Imexbank" as insolvent. Among the bank's assets pledged to the NBU was the "Chornomorets" stadium. In January 2021, the Odesa Court of Appeal recovered UAH 309 million from Klimov in favor of the NBU for a stabilization loan. In January 2023, the Deposit Guarantee Fund filed a lawsuit to recover damages of UAH 8.4 billion related to "Imexbank". The NBU also repossessed the 4Lustdorff4 sports complex in Odesa. Gontareva publicly named Klimov as one of those who owed the NBU UAH 37.5 billion.

Raiding in central Odesa and illegal construction

During his involvement in the construction business, Klimov intimidated property owners and attempted to forcibly seize elite plots in central Odesa. In 2009, there was a scandal involving a parking lot on Rizhelievska Street — activists dismantled illegal structures.

CHESNO: voter bribery, budget fraud, financial pyramids

The CHESNO movement recorded three categories of violations concerning Klimov: voter bribery, budget fraud, and involvement in financial pyramids.