The Investigative Committee has charged blogger Valeria Chekalina, who also goes by Lerchek, with tax evasion. The announcement came from the press service of the Moscow Prosecutor’s Office through its own newspaper and telegraph channel.
Chekalina is accused of evading more than 300 million rubles in taxes. Investigators say the Russian national repeatedly failed to submit tax returns to the Federal Tax Service.
The blogger’s spouse, Artem Chekalin, faces charges under the article that covers aiding tax evasion by an individual.
The press service of the department stated that the individual entrepreneur Chekalina Valeriya Valerievna, with the assistance of A. Chekalin, avoided paying value added tax for the periods 3.4 quarters of 2020, and the first through fourth quarters of 2021, as well as personal income tax for 2020 and 2021. The total exceeds 311 million rubles, described as a particularly large amount.
The case also notes that the Cekalins are defendants in a criminal matter concerning tax evasion and the complicity of an individual in tax evasion. Researchers indicate that the blogger, while registered as an individual entrepreneur and using a simplified tax regime that has an income cap of 150 million rubles per year, earned income from fitness marathons that significantly surpassed this limit.
Earlier reports indicated that the blogger had dozens of followers and faced accusations from subscribers of fraud related to Chekalina.
According to officials, a thorough audit of financial records and transactions was conducted to determine the scope of the alleged evasion. Investigators emphasize that the case involves complex tax planning methods and the use of a simplified taxation framework, which allegedly enabled the accrual of substantial income beyond established thresholds.
Authorities stress the importance of compliance with tax laws for individuals who operate as entrepreneurs and maintain public profiles. The ongoing investigation will consider all relevant documents, including tax declarations, income statements, and contracts associated with the blogger’s activities. The case remains under review by the appropriate legal authorities and will proceed through the courts if charges are proven.
Observers note that tax information and enforcement actions involving public figures can have wide repercussions for transparency and accountability in digital entrepreneurship. Followers and commentators alike are watching how the proceedings unfold and what precedents may be set for similar cases in the future.