A former Polish city president received a one-year suspended sentence and a fine for abuse of power related to a 2015 “integration trip” to China.
Abuse of Power and Financial Irregularities
Wojciech Lubawski, the former president of Kielce, was convicted on Friday of exceeding his authority when organizing a trip to China in 2015. He received a one-year suspended sentence, with a two-year probation period, and must also compensate for damages exceeding 90,000 złoty. The verdict is not yet final.
The court found Lubawski guilty of acting to obtain financial benefits. The proceedings revealed the trip lacked a legitimate economic purpose and was organized without a proper participant selection process or clearly defined roles for those involved.
Trip Details and Participants
The delegation to China comprised 19 individuals, including Lubawski and his wife, the city treasurer Barbara Nowak, and the head of spatial planning Artur Hajdorowicz. The group also included directors of municipal institutions and companies, along with their spouses, and several entrepreneurs.
The court determined that some participants were there for purely tourism purposes, with no professional justification, and were individuals with “social ties” to the president. The list of participants was handwritten by Lubawski and given to the organizers.
Public Procurement Violations
The judge emphasized violations of public procurement regulations during the sentencing. The contract for organizing the trip was awarded through a direct award procedure, without a competitive tender, which the court deemed unlawful.
The court stated Lubawski, as president, was aware of public procurement laws and the need to protect the interests of the Kielce municipality, yet he bypassed the tender process. The court believes he acted to gain financial advantages for himself and those who benefited from reduced trip costs.
Financial Discrepancies and Funding
According to the court, 16 individuals outside the Kielce city hall collectively paid approximately 69,000 złoty. However, the actual cost of their participation, based on invoices and tickets, exceeded 129,000 złoty. The difference of nearly 60,000 złoty was covered by the city budget.
Public funds were also used to purchase gifts and cover allowances, totaling around 30,000 złoty. The total cost of the trip amounted to nearly 160,000 złoty.
Lubawski’s Response and Appeal
Wojciech Lubawski was not present during the verdict announcement. He expressed disappointment with the decision in a phone interview, stating his sole intention was the development of the city. He announced his intention to appeal the ruling.
During the trial, Lubawski denied all charges, claiming the trip was intended to promote the internationalization of the Off Fashion competition and that the choice of China was suggested by fashion experts. He maintained that the trip was prepared by a competent team of officials.
Mitigating Factors and Sentence Considerations
The court considered mitigating factors, such as Lubawski’s lack of prior convictions and stable life, when determining the sentence. The judge stated there was no need to isolate him from society but acknowledged the significant social harm caused by his actions.
The trial began in February 2023, and the indictment was prepared by the District Prosecutor’s Office in Chrzanów. Lubawski served as the president of Kielce from 2002 to 2018.