MOSCOW, September 18 – RAPSI. Liberal Democratic Party members Vitaly Zolochevsky and Alexander Balberov have submitted a request in the name of top Russian investigator Alexander Bastrykin to look into whether A Just Russia party member Sergei Petrov stopped managing his business after being elected to the lower house of parliament, the Izvestia daily reports.

In early September, Life News published a story stating that Petrov is managing the Rolf car dealership although he is a lawmaker.

Pursuant to the federal law, lawmakers are not permitted to be involved in business.

In turn, Petrov told media that he planned to file a defamation lawsuit against Life News for harming his dignity and business reputation.

Zolochevsky told Izvestia that they have asked the committee to check the information published in the media and to only take measures if it turns out to be accurate.

Balberov said the reason for the inquiry was Gennady Gudkov’s violation of legislation.

Last Friday, the State Duma stripped Gudkov of his mandate after the investigative authorities accused him of engaging in commercial activities, which violates the law on lawmaker status.

Petrov, who became a lawmaker in 2007, remained the general director of a number of companies, making up Rolf Group, in 2008.

Petrov also continued to run Rolf Holding as the president.

After 2008, when the A Just Russia party member officially retired, he continued to represent his companies at exhibitions and even during negotiations with foreign partners.

If the Main Investigative Department uncovers that Petrov continued to manage his companies as a lawmaker, he could be stripped of power.

Petrov's press service refused to comment.