In the Perm Territory, an official paid a blogger budget money to fight criticism of the authorities in Govakha, the former acting director of a municipal institution fictitiously employed the blogger. Instead of performing official duties, he had to suppress criticism of the local authorities and the institution itself on social media. To register as a blogger, the manager, through his subordinates, entered false details in the employment contract and time sheets. As a result, from April to November 2025, 83.4 thousand rubles were transferred from the budget to a fictitious employee. The court found the former manager guilty of fraud and fined him 200 thousand rubles. He is also prohibited from holding leadership positions in local authorities for three years. Photo: Generated AI.

In the Perm Territory, an official paid a blogger budget money to fight criticism of the authorities in Govakha, the former acting director of a municipal institution fictitiously employed the blogger. Instead of performing official duties, he had to suppress criticism of the local authorities and the institution itself on social media. To register as a blogger, the manager, through his subordinates, entered false details in the employment contract and time sheets. As a result, from April to November 2025, 83.4 thousand rubles were transferred from the budget to a fictitious employee. The court found the former manager guilty of fraud and fined him 200 thousand rubles. He is also prohibited from holding leadership positions in local authorities for three years. Photo: Generated AI.