February 11, 2024

In Violation of Several HR Policies


In Violation of Several HR Policies
Moolah. The Russian Life files.

Police detained two Muscovites running a scam to sell a government position that didn't actually exist.

The scammers, according to Izvestia, were attempting to sell a "position" in the presidential administration for R10 million ($110,000). Skeptical marks contacted law enforcement, and an investigation began.

Law enforcement continued to communicate with the scammers for months. When a time was finally arranged for a handoff of cash at a hotel, police caught the two criminals red-handed.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of this story is that the potential targets were skeptical enough to contact law enforcement: Corruption, unsurprisingly, is fairly widespread in Russia, and an offer for a secure and well-paying job would be enticing to many.

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Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

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In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

Faith & Humor
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Faith & Humor

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.

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Murder and the Muse

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