Gagik Tsarukyan, President of the Prosperous Armenian Party, tops the list of the richest legislators in Armenia's National Assembly.

In 20008, Tsarukyan declared 7.7 billion AMD and $993,668 in revenue.

The following year, despite the growing global economic downturn Tsarukyan did even better with 9.7 billion AMD, 126 million Euros and $439,000 in revenues.

Of course, you'd have to be really naive to believe that the Armenian businessman hasn't concealed any of his income since no one in government audits these income declarations.

While the State Revenue Committee is the agency that receives the income affidavits, officials there do not have the jurisdiction to investigate the numbers.

I guess the government figured that it would be more profitable to go after small and medium sized business than the big boys in parliament – Gagik Tsarukyan, Samvel Aleksanyan, Tigran Arzakantsyan, Levon Sargsyan and others.

Lately, this reporter has been covering the goings-on in parliament.

Mr. Tsarukyan hasn't been seen there in several months even though he is obliged to participate in committee meetings and votes on the floor. (He's a member of the Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs)

In all honesty however, at least Mr. Tsarukyan is more sincere in his actions than other MP's in that he doesn't even bother with the formality of handing over doctors' notes claiming health issues are the reason for his absenteeism.

Tsarukyan has handed in applications requesting leaves of absence for business reasons. But it isn't clear if these junkets are for parliament business, commercial business, or Prosperous Party business.

To be fair, Tsarukyan has never billed the parliament for any of these trips.

According to the RA Constitution, MP's are prohibited from engaging in commercial activities while in office.

When asked if Gagik Tsarukyan wasn't flouting this law, his press spokesman Khachik Galstyan, stated that, "Mr. Tsarukyan has always maintained that factories are the support pillars of the state. Those who create stable jobs and other benefits are much more responsible for the development and prosperity of the country. From this perspective, as RA citizens, engaging in politics is an inseparable part of their political rights."

In terms of the MP's business dealings, Galstyan said that from 2003 onwards Tsarukyan's holdings were in the hands of the Multi Group company.

In fact, Tsarukyan's income is derived from the dealings of the 35 firms in the MultiGroup family of companies.

The Armenian tycoon is constantly looking to expand his business holdings, both domestically and overseas.

In 2009, Tsarukyan and his wife Javahir, purchased the Bulgarian mineral water company Gorna Banya for 25 million Euros.

He recently bought back all outstanding shares in the Kotayk Brewery from the French beer magnate Pierre Castel.