The Russian Investigative Committee reports that Tatyana Volosovets, who previously led two institutes focused on childhood and family studies, drew suspicion for a large-scale embezzlement scheme. The outlet Kommersant highlighted concerns that surfaced during the inquiry.
Authorities allege that she systematically diverted state funds for personal gain. She allegedly wrote herself trophies of achievement, paid for her own research projects, and even rented out her personal BMW to the institute, actions that investigators deem harmful to the institution and its budget.
As reported by the newspaper, investigators from the Moscow Eastern Administrative District’s department of the Investigative Committee took a close interest in the financial dealings of a 58-year-old professor affiliated with the Russian Academy of Education. Multiple criminal cases were initiated against Volosovets, which were later consolidated into a single case on May 3.
According to the inquiry, embezzlement occurred in sums deemed particularly large across 2018 to 2020. It is alleged that in 2018 the subject received incentive bonuses totaling 82,463 rubles. There are also indications that in 2019 the director of the institute illegally awarded themselves and their closest associates bonuses totaling more than 1 million rubles, according to investigators.
Volosovets is described as a pedagogy scholar who has long served as a coordinator for the Russia–Flemish collaboration in education, a role she has held for more than two decades. More recently, Ms. Volosovets has led the Institute for Psychological and Pedagogical Problems of Childhood, a state institution under the Russian Academy of Education.
In a separate matter, Konstantin Sonin, formerly an economist, a professor at the University of Chicago, and a former deputy head of the Higher School of Economics within Russia’s Research Council, faced a criminal case related to alleged spread of misinformation about the Russian Armed Forces.