Television presenter Ksenia Sobchak, public figure Ivan Urgant, singer Klava Koko, and Roma Bilyk, the frontman of the band Zveri, were summoned to explain the payments they received from blogger Elena Blinovskaya to the Federal Tax Service. The disclosure came through coverage by the Telegram channel Mash. The request for clarification followed an incident connected to Blinovskaya losses and payments that raised questions about taxable income and the movement of funds between multiple entities associated with the blogger. (reported by Mash)
The events trace back to a celebration marking Blinovskaya’s fortieth birthday, attended by Sobchak and Urgant, with Klava Koko and the band Monsters performing. The festivities reportedly cost 119 million rubles, an amount that drew scrutiny from investigators examining compensation channels and corporate structures tied to Blinovskaya. The involvement of the artists, who were paid through their individual enterprises, was detailed as payments routed from several LLCs controlled or affiliated with Blinovskaya. The artists subsequently provided the tax authorities with internal company documents detailing these transactions. (source coverage via Mash)
In the ensuing investigation, Blinovskaya faced charges related to tax evasion and money laundering amounting to 918 million rubles. She was placed under house arrest after being detained in April 2023. Prosecutors later filed additional charges of illegal money smuggling, and they sought to keep her in custody for violating the terms of her house arrest. She was eventually moved to a pre-trial detention facility. (per investigative materials reported by Mash)
The criminal case also encompasses Blinovskaya’s husband, Alexey, who stands accused of aiding in tax evasion and substantial income laundering. His restrictions included limitations on certain activities and bans on communications and internet use, though his freedom of movement remained largely unaffected at that time. (as reported by Mash)
On April 13, Alexey Blinovsky took steps to return to work in his SVO district, aiming to safeguard his employment and assist his wife in securing release from the pre-trial detention center. The probing authorities continued to pursue extensions of Blinovskaya’s detention as the case developed, highlighting the ongoing legal scrutiny surrounding the blogger and the associated financial transactions. (updates shared by Mash)
The case continues to unfold as investigators examine the full scope of financial arrangements, the roles played by the various companies involved, and the potential implications for taxation and enforcement. The narrative underscores how high-profile personalities can become entangled in complex corporate networks and legal processes when payments are routed through multiple entities and jurisdictions. (as reported by Mash)