Adam Bodnar Suspends Judge Łukasz Piebiak Amid Criminal Allegations

Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar has suspended judge Łukasz Piebiak from official duties, citing ongoing investigations into his alleged involvement in a smear campaign and a fraudulent inheritance scheme.

Two Independent Investigations

On Monday, June 15, Minister Adam Bodnar announced that the prosecutor’s office is conducting two multi-threaded investigations involving judge Łukasz Piebiak. The first concerns his alleged role in the so-called “hate affair,” while the second involves attempted fraud and the use of a forged will to claim a property belonging to the City of Warsaw.

Accusations Against the Judiciary

The Minister of Justice stated that the situation where an official tasked with administering justice becomes the subject of allegations regarding document forgery and attempted property seizure contradicts the ethos of the profession. Emphasizing that there are “no sacred cows,” Bodnar noted that judges are expected to uphold the rule of law and public trust.

The Hate Campaign Affair

The Wrocław Regional Prosecutor’s Office is investigating participation in an organized criminal group dating back to the 2019 Ministry of Justice under Zbigniew Ziobro. Investigations suggest that Łukasz Piebiak, who served as undersecretary of state from 2015 to 2019, had knowledge of online operations intended to discredit judges who opposed the ruling United Right coalition.

Alleged Inheritance Fraud

The District Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw is investigating an attempted scam involving a 38-square-meter apartment valued at 475,000 PLN. Authorities allege that between May 2023 and August 2024, judge Łukasz Piebiak utilized a forged will in court proceedings to name himself as the sole heir of a deceased individual.