The Investigative Committee has initiated a second criminal case involving millionaire blogger Valeria Chekalina and her husband. The new case centers on alleged money laundering amounting to 130 million rubles. Details about the development were shared on Telegram-based sections linked to the investigation.
Prosecutors claim that in April 2021, Artem and Valeria Chekalina formally legalized funds obtained through crime and benefited personally from those proceeds. At this stage, a preventive measure for the couple remains under consideration, with prosecutors and the defense awaiting a court decision.
Authorities continue to assess whether the spouses could be connected to additional offenses of an economic nature. The ongoing inquiry highlights the breadth of the investigation and the possibility of related schemes that extend beyond a single incident.
In another legal matter, the Chekalins face charges of tax evasion exceeding 300 million rubles. Investigators contend that the blogger operated as a individual entrepreneur under a simplified tax regime while reporting income well below actual earnings, suggesting a deliberate attempt to minimize tax obligations. The case has prompted discussions about compliance and accountability within online business activities.
Earlier reporting from Mash, a Telegram channel noted for coverage of media and tech figures, indicated that the court moved to confiscate assets and accounts tied to the blogger Lerchek and certain relatives. The records show confiscation of real estate, vehicles, and funds associated with the personal company Bee FIT, signaling a broader approach by authorities to recover assets linked to alleged illicit activity.