The Federal Tax Service has charged blogger Valeria Chekalina, known online as Lerchek, with an additional 12 million rubles in tax liabilities. She has been linked to ongoing financial obligations tied to an audit currently underway, with fresh assessments appearing in the latest round of checks. In May, she reportedly received another 20 million rubles through the same audit process, a move that Chekalina later framed as money allocated to settle tax obligations rather than personal spending.
Chekalina has publicly stated that after finalizing her divorce, she has shouldered the responsibility for all business and financial concerns on her own. This shift in her personal life coincides with the tightening of her financial situation, as described in public commentary and court records discussed in social media discussions.
There are conflicting reports from the period surrounding her divorce, including allegations that her ex-husband, Artem, secretly removed her from the family residence before the divorce was finalized. It was reported that Artem retained a 37.5 percent stake in their joint venture Bee Fit, a company that reportedly owed 126 million rubles to a supplier at that time. Subsequent updates indicated this debt figure had decreased to around 40 million rubles, prompting speculation about the company’s restructuring efforts and financial maneuvering amid the split.
Earlier, in March 2023, Chekalina herself faced a criminal case alleging tax evasion involving approximately 311 million rubles. Artem, who was her spouse at the time, was accused of assisting and encouraging the tax evasion scheme. The case drew considerable attention in media circles and among Chekalina’s follower base, highlighting the personal and professional risks tied to high-profile online personalities navigating complex tax and corporate matters.
By December 2023, Chekalina’s tax debt to the state was reportedly extinguished. The criminal proceedings related to tax evasion were dismissed, and any legal restrictions that had limited her movement and internet use were lifted. This development marked a turning point in the public narrative around her financial resilience and any ongoing legal exposure.
In previous public statements, Lerchek was described as an informal ally or even an “ambassador” of the Federal Tax Service, a label that reflected the public’s perception of her visibility in tax-related discussions rather than an official title. The evolving story continues to unfold as regulatory actions, audits, and civil matters intersect with the pressures faced by creators who blend entrepreneurship with online influence.