Elena Blinovskaya Appears in Moscow Court Over Tax and Money Laundering Allegations
Elena Blinovskaya, known for Desire Marathon, was brought to Presnensky Court in Moscow to determine a preventive measure while a windowless vehicle transported her to the courthouse. She covered her face with a hood and lenses, then was quickly escorted into the building.
The court ordered house arrest and prohibited internet use, a measure requested by investigators who argued that a blogger could threaten witnesses or destroy evidence. The defense proposed a milder restraint, specifically a ban on certain activities.
In court Blinovskaya admitted transferring 6% of income at a discount and failing to reflect her real income on official statements. She asserted willingness to repay the full amount.
Admission of Guilt and Repentance
Earlier, the Main Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee in Moscow charged Blinovskaya with large-scale tax evasion and money laundering, under provisions of the Criminal Code. The prosecutors alleged that she legalized more than 43 million rubles with a total suspected income of 918 million rubles.
Investigative authorities reported that during interrogation the blogger fully admitted guilt and expressed remorse for her actions.
During the hearing, a representative of the Moscow Department of the Investigative Committee stated that the blogger handed over her passport to inspectors and voluntarily paid part of the tax obligations. The precise payment amount was not disclosed in court.
Investigators also aimed to identify who provided Blinovskaya with information about her case, noting the possibility that she attempted to leave Russia in a hurry. Authorities indicated that investigators would determine those who shared case details with the accused, as the information is protected by law.
Under the charges, Blinovskaya faced potential penalties that could include prison time or forced labor for up to three years for tax evasion. Money laundering carried a possible sentence of up to seven years, along with fines, or additional terms of confinement, and restrictions on certain activities.
Core Allegations and Detention
Blinovskaya was detained on April 27 in the Smolensk region near the border with Belarus as she attempted to depart Russia in a rented car with tickets to Tashkent. Reports indicated that investigators opened a criminal case on April 26 and sought to inform her the following day, but she learned of the case earlier and made an attempt to flee.
Tax records listed Blinovskaya as an individual entrepreneur operating under a simplified taxation system with an annual income cap of 150 million rubles. Prosecutors contend that actual income was significantly higher and that between 2019 and 2021 she paid no more than 918 million rubles in VAT and personal income tax. The authorities claim she used a scheme to split the business to minimize revenue and that she deliberately interrupted business activity while engaging unidentified individuals in the alleged scheme.
According to the investigation, income was moved through clearing accounts of multiple entities and individual entrepreneurs using the simplified taxation system. Prosecutors allege that more than 43 million rubles obtained through criminal means were laundered, with funds used for purchases such as a vehicle and equipment for a company founded by her husband, and to celebrate a personal milestone in 2021. The costs associated with the incident were reported as substantial by several sources.
In 2015, Blinovskaya launched the Desire Marathon, a program combining lectures and practical exercises offered as self-help sessions. Marathons were conducted via messaging platforms, with participants building lists of desires and pursuing them through targeted tasks. The program also extended into topics of financial well-being and relationships, with typical training fees ranging from a few thousand to ten thousand rubles.
The case against Blinovskaya constitutes the third tax evasion matter involving a blogger since the spring began. In March, another blogger and her husband faced similar charges for underreporting income and failing to repay taxes, while another case opened against a different blogger for unpaid sums. These developments are tracked by the investigative and prosecutorial bodies for potential cross-case insights and broader patterns in omitted tax payments and money movements.
For readers following regulatory actions, the ongoing proceedings illustrate how authorities pursue complex tax schemes, assess the accuracy of declared income, and seek to determine the full chain of information sharing that may influence case trajectories and potential travel restrictions or additional measures as the investigation progresses.