Leaked statements reveal that Pawel S., the founder of the marketing firm Red is Bad, may have secured lucrative contracts for Poland’s State Strategic Reserve Agency (RARS) through political connections rather than merit, sparking a major corruption investigation.
The RARS Case
According to Onet, Pawel S. has pleaded before prosecutors in a corruption probe that implicates the State Strategic Reserve Agency (RARS). The entrepreneur, founder of the Markiodzieżowa marketing company Red is Bad, is suspected of leveraging political ties to win government contracts. Journalist Jacek Harłukowicz points to evidence that S.’s assignments were not based on competitive offers but on political agreements, friendships, and favors from the ruling PiS party.
Conversations with PiS General Secretary
In his testimony, S. claimed he had open contact with former PiS general secretary Krzysztof Sobolewski. He says he sent Sobolewski a mask‑purchase offer, hoping to arrange a resale of masks that Sobolewski could facilitate to the government. S. insists he was unaware that Sobolewski was involved in the subsequent procurement and that Sobolewski merely directed him toward institutions that could provide contracts. S. cites possible interactions with a State Treasury company and notes that Sobolewski guided him to submit bids for projects that could be sold or funded through foundations linked to his online marketing work.
Internet Campaign Support
According to the entrepreneur, Sobolewski orchestrated the hiring of specific personnel who worked on online campaigns. These staff members were subsequently employed in European Parliament offices or Regional Governor offices, while other hires were funded directly by S. He also stated that he offered Sobolewski assistance with internet‑based political campaigns as part of their collaboration.
Charges Regarding RARS
The investigation pulls in more than a dozen witnesses, including former RARS president Michał Kuczmierowski and the former head of the Prime Minister’s cabinet. Accusations center on an alleged public procurement of power generators for Ukraine. The company led by S. allegedly purchased the units in China for 69 million PLN and sold them to RARS for 350 million PLN, a figure that far exceeded the market value. The case raises concerns of organized crime, illicit enriching, and misuse of public funds.
Source: Gazeta,
