Vitaly Nikolaevich Kostynenko, Director-general.
Born April 1935.
Education: Air Force Engineering Academy named after N.E.Zhukovsky, Moscow, 1959.
Higher Economic Courses of the USSR Ministry for Foreign Economic relations, Moscow, 1967.
Upgrading Courses for Higher Managerial Staff of the USSR Planning Committee, Moscow, 1975.
Served in the Soviet Army. Retired colonel.

For 25 years (1965-1990) was directly involved in export and import of armaments and special technical equipment while working in organization, which is presently known as ROSVOORUZHENIE (state monopolist for arms trade).
Participated in elaboration of legislative base for this specific trade co-operation, drafted numerous governmental documents related to international co-operation and trade in arms and ammunition.
Developed wide range of contacts in military complex industry of former Soviet Union. Has extensive international experience.


Yury Aleksandrovich Melnikov, Deputy Director-General
Born December 1954.
Education: Moscow State Teachers Training Institute, 1978,
Academy of the Ministry of the Interior of Russia, Upgrading courses for Superior Police Officials, 1993.

18 years in governmental service, including service in the Soviet Army and work in state foreign trade organizations.
Of particular importance are 12 years in the Ministry of the Interior where he started in 1984 at a grass-root level and reached the position of the Head of National Central Bureau of Interpol.
In Foreign Relations Office of the Ministry of the Interior of the USSR and then Russia he was responsible for the development of bilateral relations with law enforcement bodies in English and French speaking countries; co-operation with international organizations, including the United Nations (Committee for Crime Prevention and Control), Council of Europe, Interpol; special projects on international organized crime control. Was the moderator for bringing together the FBI and the General Department of Organized Crime Control of the Ministry of the Interior of Russia.
As the head of NCB Interpol (1993-1996) he greatly facilitated further operational involvement of Russia in international police co-operation, paying specific attention to economic crime control and money laundering. Mr.Melnikov enjoys international recognition.
In LEGAR since 1996 as consultant and since 1998 - as a full time employee.


Igor Georgievich Belousov, Leading Expert
Born in 1949.
Education: Sverdlovsky Economy Institute, 1976
Numerous in-house training courses.

Had a 22 years of professional career in the Ministry of the Interior at holding various positions in Economic Crime Control offices on Ural and in Moscow. Last 13 years (1985-1998) in the headquarters of the Ministry of the Interior as the head of a department in the General Department of Economic Crime control. While in this position he was responsible for the Central and Western Siberia economic regions. He was personallinvolved in resolving a number of serious economic crimes in various industries - oil, black and alloyed metals, trade and banking sphere.
Recognised as "Merited Employee of the Ministry of the Interior".
Retired with the rank of colonel of police and joined LEGAR in 1998.


American constituency
Ronald L. Gainer
Born in 1934
Education: J.D., University of Michigan; Guggenheim Fellow, Yale University

29 years of outstanding governmental service in the Office of the Judge Advocate General of the Army (l960-l963), the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice (1963-1983) and as Deputy Associate Attorney General (1983-1989).
Particularly important is the role of Ronald L.Gainer in developing solutions to unusual criminal justice problems (including economic crime, organized crime, governmental corruption, violent crime, and business violation of regulatory provisions); and enacting a new Federal criminal code.
Prominent Court expert gifted to lead deliberations in court hearings at every level.
Personally advised 13 Attorney Generals of the USA.
Well known internationally. 14 years of "expert-member" from the United States on the United Nations Committee on Crime Prevention and Control (1978-1992) brought him immense international recognition for utmost professionalism and unsurpassed skills.
In 1989, left the Department of Justice to enter the private practice of law, eventually co-founding the firm of Gainer and Rient, and Aegis, as an American part in Russian-American Joint Venture LEGAR.