NEWSLINK: Russian defense chief crossed Putin’s political “family”

(Russian defense chief crossed Putin’s political “family” – Reuters – Thomas Grove and Timothy Heritage – November 8, 2012 – http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/08/us-russia-defence-scandal-idUSBRE8A70TG20121108)

Reuters covers the sacking of Russian defense minister Anatoly Serdyukov, who allegedly not only offended anti-corruption laws, but also outraged a family close to Putin when he allegedly might have cheated on his wife, who came from that family:

Viktor Zubkov was the friend Russian President Vladimir Putin turned to when he wanted help blowing out his birthday candles 12 years ago.

At the time, Zubkov was an obscure tax man but had already forged the close relationship with Putin on which the political career of Russia’s defense minister may have foundered this week in a tale of alleged corruption, adultery and Kremlin rivalries.

By 2007, Zubkov had become prime minister and rising with him was Anatoly Serdyukov, whose appointment as defense minister the same year cannot have been hindered by his marriage to Zubkov’s only daughter Yulia.

Serdyukov, now 50, appears, however, to have made a politically fatal error by falling out with his patron after his marriage hit the rocks.

It was Serdyukov who, according to some Russian media, opened the door to police in his bathrobe and slippers when they launched an early-morning raid last month on the apartment of his 33-year-old female neighbor, one of his former employees.

The raid, part of an investigation into a nearly $100 million corruption scandal, was soon splashed across Russian newspapers and Serdyukov’s job was on the line.

A hastily arranged meeting with Putin the day the news broke failed to save him.

click here to read full article: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/08/us-russia-defence-scandal-idUSBRE8A70TG20121108

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