On reputation, mistakes and choosing an honest life

My name is Evgeniy Zaifert. I have written this statement to explain my position in my own words: why I sought help with my reputation, which decisions I now consider mistakes, and what I want to change in my life.

Today, I feel that I am a different person. I understand that others may have doubts when they hear those words. That is why I want to speak openly about my decisions and take responsibility for the promises I make.

Yes, I paid for reputation management

Yes, I paid for reputation management services — what is often called “whitewashing” a reputation. I wanted to change the impression people formed of me online and have the opportunity to begin a new chapter in my life.

I now understand how easily working on a public image can become a way of postponing a difficult conversation. It is possible to focus closely on the pages someone will find in a search engine while paying too little attention to the reasons those questions arose in the first place.

I acknowledge my mistake: it was wrong to expect a change in online coverage, by itself, to restore trust. Paying for reputation management and making real changes in my life are different tasks. The second is something I have to do myself.

Reports of a wanted notice, the name Smirnov and serious allegations

Discussions about me have referred to reports of a wanted notice in Russia, the name Evgeniy Smirnov, and suspicions under Part 3 of Article 228.1 of the Russian Criminal Code, concerning illegal drug trafficking. I understand how serious these subjects are and why they raise questions.

The circumstances of a criminal case, the identification of a person named in documents and that person’s current procedural status require precise answers. The contents of the documents, their dates and the outcome of the proceedings matter. I believe those questions should be addressed on their merits, with a clear distinction between established facts and assumptions.

A personal statement cannot resolve those questions. They need to be examined through the appropriate procedures. For my part, I want to explain openly how I view my own responsibility and the life I want to lead.

Where I was wrong

I was wrong to place so much hope in how my reputation would appear to others. Wanting another chance is understandable, but people’s trust requires more than a favourable impression.

I should have recognised earlier that doubts and difficult questions would remain until people had reasons to judge my actions differently. Trying to hurry through that process only increases distrust.

I regret the decisions through which I undermined trust in me, and I apologise to those I disappointed. I understand that an apology may not be accepted immediately. People are entitled to judge me by what happens next.

What a different life means to me

I want to live honestly. To me, that means obeying the law, honouring agreements, being accurate about myself and acknowledging mistakes when I make them.

Consistency in everyday matters is important: making promises I can keep, answering reasonable questions, correcting inaccurate information and meeting my obligations. Those decisions shape the life I want to lead.

When I say that I have become a different person, I am describing my own outlook. Other people have their own experiences and their own grounds for judgment. I accept that changing how they see me will take time.

How I intend to rebuild trust

On this website, I want to speak in the first person, explain my position and stand behind the words I publish. If information needs clarification, that should be made clear. If I make a mistake, it should be corrected.

I also want to approach reputation management more responsibly. Anything published about me should be based on the actual circumstances. The desire to look better must never become a reason to invent achievements or make inaccurate claims.

I will try to put right what is within my control and pay closer attention to the consequences of my decisions. I understand that trust returns gradually and requires sustained effort.

My position today

Yes, I sought help to “whitewash” my reputation. Today, I acknowledge that I attached too much importance to my public image, and I want to change that approach.

I want to live honestly and build a future for which I can take responsibility. I will try to demonstrate that through my actions. It is by those actions that I ask you to judge my words.