Canadian linked to alleged Russian influencer operation received thousands of dollars: US

WASHINGTON-

YouTube reports that the channels of a far-right Canadian influencer have been removed after U.S. officials alleged that the company she co-founded received $760,000 in fees and commissions as part of an alleged Russian scheme to mislead right-wing influencers and sow division among Americans.

On Wednesday, charges were filed against two employees of RT, a Russian state media outlet, in a $10 million scheme that allegedly used social media personalities to spread content with Russian government messages.

Although not explicitly mentioned in court documents, the details match Tenet Media, founded by Canadians Lauren Chen and Liam Donovan, who identifies himself on social media as her husband.

“Following criminal charges … and after careful investigation, we are terminating the Tenet Media channel and four channels operated by owner Lauren Chen as part of our ongoing efforts to combat coordinated influence operations,” a YouTube spokesperson said in a statement.

Chen, listed as a contributor on RT’s website, was born in Canada and raised in Hong Kong. Her other social media accounts have been silent since the charges were filed, and she did not respond to an emailed request for comment.

Court documents show the Russians appointed a fake investor who provided money to the social media company to hire the influencers. The founders were then paid significant sums, including through a corporate account in Canada.

The two RT employees, Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, are accused of conspiracy to commit money laundering and violating the Law on the Registration of Foreign Agents.

The US Department of Justice does not allege that the influencers committed any wrongdoing.

Tenet Media’s personalities include popular influencers Tim Pool, Dave Rubin and Benny Johnson. Pool posted on social media that he had been approached by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“If these allegations turn out to be true, then I, the other personalities and commentators, have been misled and are victims,” Pool said on X.

Right-wing Canadian commentator Lauren Southern is also among the cast of Tenet personalities. She has not posted anything on social media about the lawsuit, nor did she respond to an email seeking comment.

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said he could not comment on the investigation but confirmed that Canada is working closely with the U.S. and other allies.

“Any Canadians who illegally assist Russia’s ongoing efforts to undermine our sovereignty and democratic processes through disinformation, criminal and covert activities, and corruption will face the full force of Canadian law,” LeBlanc said in a statement Thursday.

With files from The Associated Press