In December 2014, ARD aired a documentary by Hajo Seppelt – Geheimsache Doping: Wie Russland Seine Sieger macht ("The Secret of Doping: How Russia Created Champions"). This documentary accuses the Russian government of being involved in systemic doping and describes it as "East German style.";. This includes statements from Stepanov and his wife Yulia Stepanova, claiming that Russian track and field officials provided prohibited substances in exchange for 5% of the athlete's income and forged test results together with doping control officials. Russian long-distance runner Liliya Shobukhova reportedly paid 450000 euros to cover up her positive doping results.