RUSSIA . . . SERGEI'S SCAM SECURES SELECTION

In apparent sign of cynicism saturation in Russia, a man accused of running apyramid investment scamthere has won a seat in the parliament. Sergei Mavrodi, whose MMM investment fund cost hundreds of Russians their life savings and who was recently released from prison for tax evasion, won 28 percent of the vote in suburban Moscow. Mavrodi spent $10 million campaigning in absentia for the seat, which became available after the incumbent was murdered. Russian authorities suspect that Mavrodi ran for the seat in order to gain immunity from prosecution -- a constitutional privilege.Post to World Affairs "Russia: Friend or Foe?"