MMM pyramid scheme founder Sergei Mavrodi spent 4 1/2 years in prison for stealing millions of dollars in the 1990s. On Wednesday, a court ordered him back to jail for five days after he failed to pay a 1,000 ruble ($33) fine because, he said, he’s broke.
Mavrodi, who started another scheme called MMM-2011 two years ago, failed to pay the 1,000 ruble fine for an administrative offense, a Moscow court spokeswoman told Interfax. She did not specify the offense but said 10 identical charges had been brought against Mavrodi.
A police official told Lifenews.ru that Mavrodi admitted his guilt in the case and said he could not pay the fine because he is in major debt.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.