An entrepreneur who made headlines by boasting about his wealth in a viral video might now have to substantiate those claims. He faces two federal charges for allegedly assaulting a cherished endangered seal species in Hawaii.
Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, aged 38, hailing from Covington, Washington, is accused of hurling a stone at the head of a Hawaiian monk seal on May 5. This species is among the planet’s rarest marine mammals, and the incident was captured on video by local observers.
Business documentation reveals that Lytvynchuk, who claimed affluence when questioned by onlookers about his behavior, operates a logistics and trucking firm in Kent, Washington.
Lytvynchuk is now facing legal action with two federal charges related to the alleged incident involving the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, captured on May 5, 2026. (Source: Department of Justice)
In the video, a woman is heard exclaiming, “What are you doing? Why would you throw a rock at it? Hello?” as the man, dressed in a white shirt and swim trunks, is seen throwing a rock at the seal’s head on Maui’s coast.
According to a Department of Justice statement, the monk seal in question is affectionately named “Lani” by residents. Currently, the wild population of Hawaiian monk seals numbers approximately 1,600.
Lytvynchuk has been charged with harassing and attempting to harass the endangered animal in violation of the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to the DOJ. He was arrested near Seattle on Wednesday.
A Hawaiian monk seal rests on the rocky shore of Lehua Island near Niihau, Hawaii. The species, Neomonachus schauinslandi, is endangered. (Andre Seale/VW PICS/Universal Images Group)
He could face up to a year in prison for both the harassment and attempted harassment charges, along with a $50,000 fine under the Endangered Species Act and a fine of up to $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
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“The rock narrowly missed her nose, startling her, and causing her to rear up out of the water,” the release says. “According to witnesses, Lani remained largely immobile for an extended period of time after the incident, which caused much concern over her welfare.”
Upon being confronted by the witnesses, Lytvynchuk dismissed their concerns, noting that he was “rich enough to pay the fines” should he get in trouble.
Two Hawaiian monk seals swim in the surf at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in Hawaii. (Auscape/Universal Images Group)
“The unique and precious wildlife of the Hawaiian Islands are renowned symbols of Hawaii’s special place in the world and its incredible biodiversity. We are committed to protecting our vulnerable wild species, in particular endangered Hawaiian monk seals, like Lani,” said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. “We pledge that those who harass and attempt to harm our protected wildlife will face rapid accountability in federal court.”
The video set off a social media firestorm, and users quickly identified the suspect, leading to calls for his arrest.
After his arrest, users celebrated.
“Karma doesn’t care how rich you are,” said on X user.
“Let’s hope justice is served in court and this scumbag receives a significant custodial sentence,” said another.
It was not immediately clear if Lytvynchuk had an attorney.
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