Warsaw prosecutors have secured 3.03 million zł in assets from former Orlen Foundation president Katarzyna R., who faces consequences for nearly 5 million zł diverted to a political campaign.
Asset Seizure
On February 13, Warsaw Regional Prosecutor’s office secured assets worth 3.03 million zł from Katarzyna R., who during Daniel Obajtek’s presidency directed the Orlen Foundation. The seized assets include three apartments in Warsaw (32.5 m², 51 m², and 102 m²) and a plot of land near Warsaw.
The seized value is less than the 4.695 million zł loss suffered by the Foundation. According to the prosecutor’s decision obtained by “Gazeta Wyborcza,” the former president may lose her entire fortune, including the apartment where she is registered.
Political Campaign Funding
The investigation began after new Orlen leadership discovered that money intended for charitable and educational purposes was used to fund a political campaign in 2023 that aimed to improve Law and Justice (PiS) election results.
Over 4.6 million zł was officially allocated from the Orlen Foundation to the “Citizens’ Activity Academy” project. According to “Gazeta Wyborcza,” the money went to the Foundation for Economic Development and Innovation named after Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski in Lublin, whose board included PiS councillors, activists, and associates of former Lublin voivode Przemysław Czarnek.
Former President’s Defense
A person familiar with Katarzyna R. claims she “was always honest” and signed the documents because “someone persuaded her that everything would be fine,” adding that she is now “facing the consequences and feels left in the cold.”